JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman Eagles (7-5, 3-0 South Atlantic Conference) will hit the road to the Old North State to face the Brevard Tornados (4-6, 2-1 South Atlantic Conference) for a three-game series this weekend at Gil Coan Field in Brevard, N.C.
The series begins with Friday's game at 2 p.m., followed by a Saturday doubleheader with the first contest beginning at noon.
The Eagles have won four of their last five games, with their four-game winning streak coming to an end on Wednesday with a 12-8 loss to King. A seven-run top of the second powered the Tornado to the victory, despite multi-hit games from Carson-Newman's Bo Ausmus, Trace Rogers, and Evan Jurjevic.
Prior to the loss against King, the Eagles tallied four consecutive wins against ranked opponents. The Eagles topped no. 7 Lander 5-3 on Tuesday Feb. 12, before sweeping a three-game series against no. 19 Tusculum this past weekend at the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex.
The Eagles saw all members of the starting rotation post wins during the Tusculum series, and Carson-Newman will use the same rotation against Brevard this weekend.
Senior right-hander Chris Armstrong (2-1, 3.50 ERA) will start for the Eagles on Friday. Armstrong earned the win against Tusculum last Friday after pitching seven and a third innings while allowing four runs on three hits with six walks and seven strikeouts during his time on the mound.
Senior right-hander Alex Britt (1-1, 3.72 ERA) will start for Carson-Newman in the first game of the doubleheader on Saturday. Against the Pioneers, Britt collected a complete game with 11 strikeouts during his seven innings on the mound. He also only allowed two runs on three hits in his first win of the season.
Sophomore right-hander Quinton Yocum (2-1, 2.89 ERA) will close out Carson-Newman's weekend in Brevard by starting in the second game of the twin bill. Against Tusculum, Yocum earned the win while only allowing one unearned run on seven hits with eight strikeouts during his six and a third innings on the mound as the Eagles earned the sweep with a 2-1 win.
Sophomore outfielder Evan Kirkpatrick continues to pace the Eagles at the plate with his .414 batting average and is second on the team with 9 RBI. Ausmus leads the team with three homers and 11 RBI through the first 12 games of the 2013 season. The Eagles are also seeing consistent hitting from left fielder Zach Long, who is hitting .306 with 8 RBI and leads the team with four doubles.