Eagles welcome Brevard for SAC home opener

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – After a Monday conference split at Coker, Carson-Newman (16-6, 1-1 South Atlantic Conference) begins the home portion of its SAC schedule with a Wednesday doubleheader against Brevard (6-8, 0-2 SAC) at The Vick at 2 p.m.

Carson-Newman head softball coach Vickee Kazee-Hollifield said the Eagles are still looking for that extra mark of consistency as they welcome in Brevard.

"Defense is getting a little bit better," Kazee-Hollifield said. "But we're still having miscommunications there.  At the plate, we're inconsistent with what we want to do with balls and strikes. I say that, but then we'll have a day where we put all three facets of the game together, pitching, defense and hitting. I hope that's what we'll do Wednesday."

The Eagles lead the all-time series with the Tornados 20-2.  The only wins for Brevard in the series' history have come by virtue of 1-0 decisions. 

Carson-Newman eliminated Brevard from the SAC tournament last season with a 17-7 win on the back of a trio of home runs.  The Eagles also won 15-5 and 8-3 last season.

"It's conference play," Vickee-Kazee-Hollifield said. "We've come out and had some slow starts. We need to be out there and ready to rock at the first pitch while still being a disciplined ball club."

Carson-Newman scored 40 runs over the course of three meetings with Brevard last season. The Eagles pounded out 16 extra base hits between the contests.

In last year's games with Brevard, C-N had a slew of big innings. The Eagles scored four runs twice in a frame, six runs twice and nine once.

Brevard pitcher Jamie Hrobak ranks fifth in the SAC with 8.03 strikeouts per game. She has struck out 17 in 16.2 innings of work in her Brevard career against Carson-Newman.

Carson-Newman's Bre Lockett (Fontana, Calif.) has hit successfully in 14 of the Eagles' last 15 games. Seven of her last eight contests she's picked up multiple hits.

Carson-Newman leads the SAC in scoring, on-base percentage, batting average and slugging. The Eagles are top 15 nationally in those categories.

Coverage for the game will be available on the Eagle Sports Network with a free high definition stream at cneagles.com/live.  Carson-Newman's Monday doubleheader with Erskine has been moved to March 30. Start time for that makeup game is 2 p.m.