GREENWOOD, S.C. – Carson-Newman (22-27) had a 3-1 lead over no. 10 Lander (32-13) through five and a half innings, but the Bearcats scored five unanswered to snatch a 6-3 win over the Eagles at Dolny Stadium Tuesday evening.
The Eagles beat a then seventh-ranked Lander club 5-3 back on Feb. 12.
Carson-Newman is 7-6 against nationally ranked competition this year.
The Eagles took a two run cushion into the bottom half of the sixth thanks to a bases loaded double from Bryan Everhart (Greeneville, Tenn.) to score Joe Tipton (Dandridge, Tenn.) and Brandon Roberts (Davie, Fla.).
However, Lander would answer with single runs in the sixth and seventh to tie the game before turning in a three spot in the eighth inning to take the lead and set the final score.
With runners on first and second with one out Weston Lawin singled to center field to score Jeff May from third. Then Bearcat pinch hitter Austin Dunn doubled to score two more before he was thrown out trying to come to third.
Clayton Eames (Hoschton, Ga.) pitched a quality start for the Eagles, going six innings and surrendering three runs against eight hits and pair of strikeouts. However, it was Lucas Watson (Gatlinburg, Tenn.) who was shackled with the loss (0-1) in the relief.
Jeremy Janse (4-0) picked up the win for the Bearcats as Lander's fifth pitcher of record.
Zach Long (Jefferson City, Tenn.) led Carson-Newman offensively with a three-for-four day at the plate including his team best 16th double of the year. Peter Rajkovich (Stockton, Calif.) was one-for-four at the dish with an RBI, while Everhart drove in C-N's other two runs.
Carson-Newman closes out its season Saturday at 2 p.m. against Limestone. Coverage for the contest is available on the Coca-Cola Eagle Sports Network online at cneagles.com/live.
-CN-