Eagles Sweep Augusta State to Open Season
Feb. 1, 2009
AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Carson-Newman Eagles used a five-run 11th inning in Game 1 and a one-hit shutout from Justin Higdon (Ooltewah, Tenn.) in Game 2 to sweep a doubleheader from Augusta State University 10-6 and 13-0 on Sunday afternoon at Lake Olmstead Stadium.
Game 1: Carson-Newman 10, Augusta State 6 (11)
Carson-Newman scored five runs in the top of the 11th inning to beat Augusta State 10-6.
Junior Brandon Laine (Ft. Myers, Fla.) picked up the win for the Eagles.
The Eagles pounded out 17 hits in the win, including six for extra bases.
Freshman Antonia Nickel (Naples, Fla.) went 2-for-5 in his C-N debut, belting a double and the season's first home run. Fellow freshman Zach Long (Jefferson City, Tenn.) added two hits and scored two runs.
Game 2: Carson-Newman 13, Augusta State 0
In the nightcap, Higdon blanked ASU in seven innings, allowing only a first-inning single by the Jags' All-American rightfielder Shannon Wilkerson. Higdon struck out seven and walked three.
The Eagles had 16 hits in the seven-inning win, led by Corey Lamson's (Gray, Tenn.) 3-for-5 day. He had three singles. Shortstop Mills Rogers (Simpsonville, S.C.) added two hits, scoring three times. Freshman second baseman Aaron Vargas (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) added three RBIs
Carson-Newman collected 33 hits in the two games, including eight for extra bases.
With the win, the Eagles move to 2-0, while Augusta State falls to 0-2, to begin the year. The two teams will meet in the series finale on Monday afternoon. First pitch is at 2 p.m.
