Eagles ride Koeneman’s 20th home run to 6-1 win at West Georgia

CARROLLTON, Ga. – Carson-Newman's Kyle Koeneman hit a three-run home run in the top of the first and pitcher Evan Faithful held the Wolves to a lone run over eight innings as the Eagles beat West Georgia, 6-1, on Tuesday afternoon.

The Eagles move to 27-25 with the win and wrap up their season this weekend with a three-game series against Georgia Southwestern in Americus, Ga.

Koeneman's first-inning blast was his 20^th home run of the season as C-N's Lance Rorex and Troy Zawadzki drew lead off walks to open the game. Koeneman also started the game at catcher, the first of his career.

The 2012 SAC Player of the Year provided all the offense the Eagles needed for Faithful (WP, 2-2), who kept UWG at bay scattering 10 hits in 8.0 innings worked. He struck out three and did not issue a walk. The win was his second in the last three starts. He also pitched well but did not get the decision in a win over Catawba in C-N's SAC Tournament opener.

Faithful took a shutout into the seventh as C-N added to its lead in the top half of the inning. Zach Long delivered a two-run single with the bases loaded as C-N seized control, 6-0.

Koeneman had two of C-N's five hits, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs. He joined Rorex and Zawadzki, each scoring twice.

 -C-N-