Lions silence Eagle bats with doubleheader sweep
March 8, 2014

Lions silence Eagle bats with doubleheader sweep

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – After pounding out 11 runs and 14 hits on Friday, the Carson-Newman Eagles (12-11, 7-8 South Atlantic Conference) could only muster two runs as the Mars Hill Lions (9-13, 8-7 SAC) defeated the Eagles 3-1 and 2-1 Saturday afternoon at the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – After pounding out 11 runs and 14 hits on Friday, the Carson-Newman Eagles (12-11, 7-8 South Atlantic Conference) could only muster two runs as the Mars Hill Lions (9-13, 8-7 SAC) defeated the Eagles 3-1 and 2-1 Saturday afternoon at the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex. 

"Our pitchers gave us a chance," head coach Tom Griffin said of a pair of strong outings. "That's all you can ask for. They did a great job. Their staff was pounding the zone. We didn't do a very good job of adjusting in the box." 

GAME ONE – Mars Hill 3  Carson-Newman 1 

Junior right fielder Cody Fox (Seymour, Tenn.) continued his hot hitting at home as he lined a 3-2 fastball to the fence in left-center field to plate senior second basemen Peter Rajkovich (Stockton, Calif.) and give the Eagles an early 1-0 lead after an inning. 

Carson-Newman starting pitcher Dustin Dunagan (Winder, Ga.) retired the first 13 batters he faced before a one-out double by center fielder Tommy Scala started a rally for the visiting club. Second basemen Jacob Rand looped a base hit into left field to tie the score. With two outs, Dunagan walked catcher Dustin Jones. After a passed ball put Rand at third, the Eagle starter threw a wild pitch to score Rand and give the Lions a 2-1 advantage. 

Rand drove in his second run of the game with a two-out double down the left field line to extend the Mars Hill lead to 3-1. 

The final eight Eagle batters were retired by Lions starter Caleb Edwards who went the distance to earn his fourth victory of the season in the complete game. Edwards allowed just six hits with ten strikeouts and one walk. 

GAME TWO – Mars Hill 2  Carson-Newman 1 

For the first time in the three-game series, Mars Hill scored first in the top of the fourth inning. Shortstop Evan Rogers doubled down the left field line. A successful sacrifice bunt moved Rogers to third base. Eagle starting pitcher, sophomore left-hander, Vince Apicella (Dillsburg, Pa.) struck out Dalton Eisenbath. On a 0-1 pitch, left fielder Nick Villalobos singled to left field to put the Lions on top 1-0. 

The Eagles responded in the bottom half of the frame. Junior shortstop Bryan Everhart (Greeneville, Tenn.) doubled to the wall in left-center field to start the inning. After a ground out moved Everhart to third base, the Lions brought their infield in. Sophomore third basemen Brandon Roberts (Davie, Fla.) chopped a ball over the head of second basemen Shawn Weber to bring home Everhart and tie the score at one. 

The Lions captured the lead for good in the fifth inning. With one out, Apicella struck out Weber, but a dropped third strike and a throwing error by freshman catcher Greg Jones (Maryville, Tenn.) allowed Weber to reach first base. After a fly out, third basemen Adam Daniel lined a 1-2 pitch into left field to give Mars Hill a 3-2 lead that they would never relinquish. 

Carson-Newman had at least one base runner in each of the first six innings, but nine strikeouts from Mars Hill hurler Dale Innes thwarted any rallies. Innes went the distance as he walked just one batter in seven innings to improve to 3-1 on the year.

"I think we are going to work on Monday what our approach at the plate will be," Griffin said of a busy week coming up. "The good thing is your hitters get back in there again. There are good days like yesterday and then there are days like this." 

The Eagles are back in action at the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. against Young Harris. 

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