Eagles swept in doubleheader at UAH
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Carson-Newman Eagles couldn't find an answer for the University of Alabama-Huntsville in a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon. C-n dropped both games of the doubleheader, losing 9-0 in opener and 10-1 in the nightcap.
After the day, UAH improved to 7-10 overall while Carson-Newman dropped to 6-10 on the season. In addition, the Chargers moved to 7-0 when facing a visiting Carson-Newman team.
UAH next opens Gulf South Conference play as the Chargers welcome Delta State to Huntsville on March 3-4. First pitch in Saturday's doubleheader is set for noon CST while Sunday's game will begin at 1 p.m.
GAME ONE
Junior southpaw Willard Bacon (1-1) picked up his first victory of the year in leading UAH to a 9-0 win over Carson-Newman. Bacon turned in a superb performance on the hill, working a complete seven-inning game scoreless game on seven hits while striking out four and walking one.
The Chargers struck early and often, plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning, including sophomore Justin Riddle smacking his first career home run of the season over the left field wall.
In the bottom of the third inning, and with runners on first and second, junior Vincent Kortbawi laced a single through the left side which added another run for UAH, extending the Chargers' advantage to 4-0.
UAH crossed the plate for two more runs in the fifth frame. With two outs and loaded bases, junior Tyrone Smith was plunked by the pitcher to walk in one run. The next batter, sophomore Blake Massey, reached on a fielding error by the third baseman to plate another run.
Zach Long and Trace Rogers each had two hits for the Eagles, but got little support from the bottom of the Eagle order.
C-N committed three errors in the game which led to two unearned Charger runs.
The Blue and White had three players collect a multi-hit game, with all three notching two hits in the game. Riddle went 2-for-3, senior Grant DeBruin batted 2-for-4 and freshman Chandler Brock hit 2-for-3.
Carson-Newman exhausted four pitchers in the contest, with starter Lucas Watson (0-1) picking up the loss. Watson allowed all four runs – two earned – on six hits and a walk, while fanning three batters.
GAME TWO
Carson-Newman's starting pitcher Evan Faithful (0-1) lasted just 0.2 innings as the Chargers continued its scoring attack, including four runs in the first inning to bring an early end to the starter's night. Faithful allowed four runs on six hits, while striking out one batter.
All nine batters in the UAH lineup picked up an at-bat in the bottom of the first inning.
Junior Cody Barrett (2-2) got the start on the hill for UAH, working 6.0 innings to pick up his second win of the year. Barrett allowed just one run on five hits while fanning four Eagles. Redshirt sophomore Kyle Jeter worked a scoreless seventh frame in relief of Barrett.
After crossing four runs in the first inning, UAH returned in the second to plate two more. Sophomore Blake Massey led off the second with a single, then stole second base and advanced to third on a balk. Massey scored on a sac fly by senior Ty Chancelor which also moved senior Grant DeBruin, who reached base after being hit by a pitch, over to third base. DeBruin crossed the plate on a fielding error by the shortstop, giving UAH a 6-0 lead.
Carson-Newman plated its lone run of the doubleheader in the top of the third inning, briefly cutting its deficit to 6-1. The Chargers plated another run in fourth inning to make the score 7-1.
UAH then added its three final runs in the bottom of the sixth to put the game away and cruise to a 10-1 victory.
Leading UAH at the plate were four players with a multi-hit game, including senior Eddie Villalta who went 2-for-3 with three RBI. DeBruin hit 2-for-3 in the contest, scoring three runs, while junior Vincent Kortbawi batted 2-for-4 with three RBI and freshman Chandler Brock went 2-for-4 and scored two runs.
Long was 3-of-5 for the day to lead the Eagle offense. Kyle Koeneman added two hits over the two games.
Carson-Newman will try to get back on track this weekend when it hosts Brevard College in a three-game South Atlantic Conference series. The first pitch of Friday's series opener is at 2 p.m. at the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex.
