Another six-run rally lifts the Eagles to series sweep over UVA Wise
WISE, Va. – For the second time in three games, Carson-Newman (31-17, 19-14 SAC) overcame a six-run deficit, rallying from down 8-2 in the sixth inning to win 10-9 over UVA Wise (11-36, 6-27 SAC) in the regular season finale on Saturday afternoon.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
|
|
3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 10 | 2 |
VIDEO: Bradley Soto Diaz Interview
WISE, Va. – For the second time in three games, Carson-Newman (31-17, 19-14 SAC) overcame a six-run deficit, rallying from down 8-2 in the sixth inning to win 10-9 over UVA Wise (11-36, 6-27 SAC) in the regular season finale on Saturday afternoon.
The win was Carson-Newman's second six-run comeback of the series, tied for the second largest deficit overcome and the largest overcome on the road this season as well. The Eagles now have 12 comeback victories this season, five of which have come on the road.
"It's always a credit to the guys," Carson-Newman head coach Tom Griffin said. "Everyone is playing and believing in themselves. It's a good vibe in the dugout and it becomes contagious. Again we talk about pitching and we gave up a lot of runs, but every run mattered. That allows you to be in the ball game. Great job and what a day for Jacob Rogers. He had a big day and did a great job behind the dish catching a lot of different pitchers. Nathan had a big hit, Floyd did what he does. Soto Diaz has been really consistent, doing a great job with the plate discipline. Nice way to end the regular season. Good win coming back again, really proud of the guys and happy for them."
The road rally extended Carson-Newman's winning streak to nine games, its longest winning streak of the year. The road sweep of the Cavaliers is C-N's second road sweep and third overall sweep in 2026.
Carson-Newman now has 16 road wins this season, tied for the third-most road wins in a season since 1994.
As the Eagles did all weekend, they fired the first punch in the first inning. After a Logan Floyd (Adairsville, Ga.) single, Bradley Soto Diaz (Davenport, Fla.) blasted a two-strike pitch over the right field wall for a two-run home run to give C-N the early momentum.
UVA Wise would not let that Eagles lead last long. Carson-Newman issued three freebies in the first and the Cavaliers took advantage. Carter Babb singled in a run with a base hit and Jacob Boyle doubled with two outs to cap a three-run first to give Wise the lead.
The Cavaliers would extend their lead over the next two innings. Back to back doubles helped Wise score twice in the second to extend the lead to 5-2. The advantage went to 7-2 after a two-run third inning.
An eighth straight Wise run scored in the fifth. Drew Knight hit his second home run of the year to push the UVA Wise lead to 8-2.
Carson-Newman was held scoreless inn innings two through five, two runners on in the fourth and fifth innings.
The Eagles offense finally broke through in the sixth inning. With two outs and a runner on base, senior catcher Jacob Rogers (Dandridge, Tenn.) demolished a pitch over the left field wall for his first career home run to make it a four-run game.
That swing turned out to be the kick in the side that C-N's offense needed and it sparked a six-run sixth inning. Floyd and Bolton went back to back with two-out singles and then the Cavaliers did C-N many favors.
They walked the next three Carson-Newman hitters, with two wild pitches mixed in that brought home a pair of C-N runs and it was an 8-6 game.
A fifth free pass in the inning made it a one-run game, as Tanner Kilgore (Kingsport, Tenn.) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. An infield single by Nathan capped a six-run sixth that tied the game.
After seeing C-N tie the game, the Cavaliers quickly regained the lead. Dane Frelick's two-out RBI single lifted Wise to a 9-8 lead after six innings.
C-N tied the game for the second time by scoring a run in the eighth inning. Soto Diaz reached on a throwing error and Cole Nathan (Knoxville, Tenn.) drove him in with a line drive single to level the score at nine after eight innings.
Rogers stepped up again to begin the ninth inning, drawing a six-pitch leadoff walk. Johno Pierce (Knoxville, Tenn.) came in as a pinch runner and moved into scoring position after a sac bunt. After C-N went on to load the bases, Soto Diaz knocked in the winning run with a sac fly to right to give the Eagles the 10-9 lead, their second lead of the day and first since the opening half inning.
Freshman pitcher Drew Fletcher (Waxhaw, N.C.) was called upon for the ninth inning and sent the Cavaliers down in order. He needed just five pitches for the scoreless ninth inning to finish off his first career save and another C-N road rally.
Fletcher headlined multiple stellar relief outings from C-N late in this game. Aaron Bobo (Knoxville, Tenn.), McCain Mangum (Ringgold, Ga.) and James Salicco (Waxhaw, N.C.) all pitched scoreless innings from the sixth inning on to help calm the UVA Wise bats.
Floyd finished with a team-high three hits. Soto Diaz had two and drove in a team-high three runs. Nathan and Rogers drove in multiple runs as well in the win.
Cavaliers reliever Ean Marria suffered his third loss, allowing two runs while pitching the final three innings.
Carson-Newman finishes the regular season tied for fifth place with Lincoln Memorial. However, the Railsplitters win the tiebreaker with the Eagles and that makes C-N the sixth seed. The Eagles will play third-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne next Friday in the opening rounds of the South Atlantic Conference Tournament. An official announcement of this will come from the league office when the regular season ends tomorrow.
