JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — Senior designated hitter Evan Patterson (Knoxville, Tenn.) delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning to lift the Carson-Newman baseball team to a 4-3 victory over Bloomsburg in game two on Tuesday afternoon at the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex. The Eagles dropped game one 2-1.
With the split, C-N is now 7-15 on the season, while the Huskies are at 5-4 overall.
In the first game, the Eagles trailed 2-1 heading into the ninth inning before loading the bases with one out. However, Bloomsburg reliever Matt Kline came in and recorded the final two outs to preserve the 2-1 win and pick up his first save of the season.
C-N managed just five hits for the game. Sophomore Lance Reed (Elizabethton, Tenn.) led the way with a double, while sophomore Lucas Mohon (Glasgow, Ky.) added a RBI.
The Huskies collected 10 hits, as Brad Smith went 3-for-5. Joey Ianiero, Howie Deemer and Keith Meyer each had two hits in the win.
Bloomsburg starting hurler Casey Cooperman (2-1) had a stellar performance in 8 1/3 innings of work to earn the win. Cooperman gave up one run and five hits and had two strikeouts.
C-N starter Evan Faithful (Hingham, Mass.) fell to 1-3 on the season after surrendering two runs and eight hits in six innings on the mound.
The Huskies broke a scoreless tie in the fifth, as Ianiero produced a RBI double and Deemer added a run-scoring single to give Bloomsburg a 2-0 lead.
The Eagles pulled to within 2-1 in the eighth. Reed doubled to lead things off. Freshman Ryan Hanks (Raleigh, N.C.) then came into pinch run and later scored on a groundout by Mohon.
C-N threatened in the ninth by loading the bases but was unable to take advantage, as Bloomsburg held on to win.
In the second game, the Eagles rallied for a 4-3 victory behind Patterson's game-winning two-run single in the bottom of the sixth.
C-N trailed 3-2 heading into the sixth before Mason Guymon (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) drew a two-out walk to spark the rally. Walker Bullington (Morristown, Tenn.), Lance Rorex (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Patterson then came through with back-to-back-to-back singles to give C-N the win.
The Eagles tallied seven hits, as Patterson and senior Cody Nix (Cartersville, Ga.) finished with two hits apiece.
Bloomsburg finished with eight hits, including two from Smith and Deemer.
C-N reliever Lucas Watson (Gatlinburg, Tenn.) (2-0) earned the win after allowing one unearned run and three hits in two innings of work. Senior Mike Mullen (Bradenton, Fla.) recorded his first save of the season, allowing only a hit in one inning on the mound.
The Huskies jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second with a two-run double by Ianiero.
C-N battled back to knot the game at 2-2 in the fourth. Nix ripped a RBI triple off the wall to right field, and Guymon followed with a SAC bunt to drive in Guymon to tie the game.
After Bloomsburg regained the lead with a run in the fifth, the Eagles claimed the win with a pair of runs on Patterson's single in the sixth.
C-N returns to the diamond on Wednesday with a home doubleheader against Belmont Abbey. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
