VIDEO: Quinton Yocom Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman Eagles (1-1, 1-0 South Atlantic Conference) overcame a late three-run deficit to defeat the Catawba Indians (2-2, 0-1 SAC) 5-4 at the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex Friday afternoon. It was the first win by Carson-Newman over Catawba at home since Feburary 24, 2008 when the Eagles won 3-2.
"In games like this against that type of team, you've got to have some outstanding plays," head coach Tom Griffin said. "A couple breaks went our way. There were some at-bats that went well. I'm proud of our guys. No matter what happens, win or lose, we love these guys because of the effort they give us because of the kind of people they are off the field."
A dropped third strike allowed Kyle Smith to reach first base with one out in the top of the first inning. On the next pitch, Catawba catcher Will Albertson hammered a ball over the fence in left field to give the visiting team a 2-0 lead after an inning.
Carson-Newman was able to get a run back in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, senior outfielder Bo Ausmus (Jefferson City, Tenn.) was hit in the back with a pitch. Two pitches later, senior outfielder Cody Fox (Seymour, Tenn.) hit a laser to the base of the fence in left-centerfield to plate a hustling Ausmus and make it a 2-1 contest.
Catawba punched back in the top of the fifth. With a runner at second base and two outs, designated hitter T.J. Wharton walloped a ball over the wall in centerfield just over the outstretched glove of Eagle centerfielder Ryan Addington (Cincinnati, Ohio) and extend the Indians' lead to 4-1.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, sophomore designated hitter Greg Jones (Maryville, Tenn.) fell behind 0-2 before drawing a walk to start the inning. With one, junior third basemen Brandon Roberts (Davie, Fla.) snapped an 0-for-8 start to the season with a double to centerfield to put runners at second and third base with one out. After a popup to shortstop, Addington chopped a ball over third basemen Craig Brooks to score a pair of runs and make it a 4-3 game.
Fox led off the eighth inning with an infield single back up the middle and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt. A ground out left Fox at second base with two outs. The first pitch senior shortstop Bryan Everhart (Greeneville, Tenn.) saw in the next at-bat was a fastball that he chopped back up the middle into centerfield to score Fox and make it a 4-4 game.
With an 0-2 count on Roberts, Catawba pitcher Matt Farmakis throw a ball passed first basemen Chance Bowden that rolled up the hill. Everhart advanced to third when a throw from rightfielder Luke Setzer skipped off of Brooks up the left field line. Alertly, Everhart hopped up and sprinted home to provide the Eagles with the eventual winning run at 5-4.
Senior hurler Quinton Yocom (Cable, Ohio) threw his third career complete game yielding seven hits, four runs, three earned runs to go along with a career-high 10 strikeouts and two walks on 142 pitches. Yocom retired 12 of the final 14 batters of the game while facing the minimum four times to earn the win.
"The adrenaline is true," Yocom said. "I didn't even feel it. In the fifth inning, coach asked me how I felt and I told him 'I just started'. It's the first weekend and the adrenaline is going. I think that is what carried me through all of those pitches.
Addington went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and a stolen base. Everhart and Fox each tallied a pair of hits going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
Shaefer Shepard went 6.2 innings while allowing three earned runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and three walks in a no-decision.
"Everything that happened today is a culmination of everyone helping out," Griffin said. "There's more to being a servant than just the people that are playing. Everyone has a role. I'm very proud of them. Enjoy this. This is why you work. You should enjoy it."
The two squads close out the series Saturday afternoon in a doubleheader with the first game beginning at noon at the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex. Both games can be seen in high definition by visiting cneagles.com/live.
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