EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Baseball Team (3-21, 1-13 SAC) fell in both games of a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader to Carson-Newman University (12-10, 7-4 SAC) at home Saturday afternoon. The Eagles won game one 8-4 before edging the Wasps by a 5-4 scoreline in the nightcap.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Carson-Newman 8, Emory & Henry 4
GAME TWO – Carson-Newman 5, Emory & Henry 4 (Seven Innings)
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Portfield-DeVault Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (3-21, 1-13 SAC); Carson-Newman (12-10, 7-4 SAC)
Game One - Carson-Newman 8, Emory & Henry 4
The Wasps struck first in the bottom of the first inning after fifth-year second baseman Noah Mazza (Plainfield, Ill.) singled, stole second, moved up to third on a single from fifth-year outfielder Jermie Greene, Jr. (Troutman, N.C.) and scored on a sacrifice fly by junior first baseman Jacob Bebber (Taylorsville, N.C.) to make it 1-0. Carson-Newman answered back in the top of the second on a solo homer from Harrison Travis to tie things up at 1-1.
The Wasps retook the lead in the bottom of the second. Sophomore catcher Garrison Bullock (Concord, N.C.) led off with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior third baseman Steven Smith (Salisbury, N.C.) and touched home on freshman shortstop Anthony Umbach's (Harrisburg, N.C.) RBI double. Mazza laced a double down the line in left to score Umbach and E&H held a 3-1 advantage.
Travis left the yard once more in the top of the fourth to bring the Eagles level again at 3-3, then his third long ball of the game, this one of the solo variety in the top of the sixth, gave the visitors the 4-3 lead. C-N would go on to add two more runs in the inning to establish a 6-3 margin. The Wasps chipped away in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single from senior designated hitter Caeden Howell (Roaring River, N.C.), but it would not be enough as the Eagles added two in the top of the eighth to take game one by the 8-4 final score.
Noah Pridmore earned the win on the mound for Carson-Newman after allowing four runs on seven hits over six innings while striking out four batters. Fifth-year pitcher Zach Clover (Cary, N.C.) took the loss for E&H, surrendering six runs on eight hits with a pair of strikeouts in 5 ⅔ innings on the hill. Mazza paced the Wasps' offense with three hits and a run driven in while Bullock also had a pair of knocks.
Game Two - Carson-Newman 5, Emory & Henry 4 (Seven Innings)
E&H took the lead for the second time in as many games in the bottom of the opening inning. Mazza reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, advanced to third on an error by the pitcher and scored on an RBI groundout from Greene, Jr. to give the Wasps the early 1-0 lead.
The Eagles got on the scoreboard in the top of the third as they utilized three hits, a pair of hit batters and an intentional walk to push across four runs. The Wasps got a pair back in the bottom of the inning when senior third baseman Jared Foley (Sparta, N.C.) singled, Mazza reached on an error and they both scored on a two-RBI double from Greene, Jr. to reduce the deficit to 4-3.
Harrison Travis launched his fourth home run of the day in the top of the fifth inning for a 5-3 Carson-Newman lead, but E&H immediately responded with one in the home half of the frame. Junior outfielder Khadeem Lewis (Chesterfield, Va.) led off with a triple down the line in right and tallied a run on an RBI groundout by Umbach to bring the Wasps with just a run. The Eagles' bullpen kept the home team silent through the final two innings to take the 5-4 victory.
Blake Cooper was the winning pitcher for Carson-Newman, allowing four runs, just one earned, and five hits over 4 ⅔ innings on the hill. Senior righty Bryson Wagner (Salisbury, N.C.) was saddled with the loss for Emory & Henry after giving up five hits and five runs in seven innings while fanning eight Eagles. Foley had a game-high three hits to lead the offense while Greene, Jr. finished with three RBIs.
Up Next
Emory & Henry wraps up the three-game SAC series on Sunday, March 17. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Portfield-DeVault Field.
--E&H--