JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — Tenth-ranked North Georgia erupted for five runs in the third inning on its way to claiming a 7-4 victory over the Carson-Newman baseball team on Tuesday afternoon at the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex.

With the loss, the Eagles fall to 10-16 on the season. The Saints improve to 16-6 overall.

C-N managed seven hits on the day, including a 2-for-3 effort from senior Evan Patterson (Knoxville, Tenn.). Senior Wesley Dozier (Cornelius, N.C.) and sophomore Lucas Mohon (Glasgow, Ky.) each had a double in the loss.

The Saints collected 12 hits, as Alex Fredriksson went 3-for-4 to lead the way. Kenny Bellavance, Troy Snitker and Brad Hall added two hits apiece, while Dustin Carpenter produced a two-run home run.

North Georgia reliever Matt Smith (2-1) picked up the win after allowing one run and two hits in four innings of work. Smith also had five strikeouts on the day. Jacob Rickett recorded a strikeout to close out the game and earn his seventh save of the season.

C-N starting hurler Evan Faithful (Hingham, Mass.) (1-4) was tagged with the loss after giving up seven runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings on the mound.

The Saints struck first in the top of the second inning. After Snitker drew a walk to lead off the inning and Hall doubled to right field, Carpenter delivered a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Snitker. Denver Stovall then drove home Hall with a single through the left side to give North Georgia a 2-0 lead.

C-N answered with a run in the home half of the inning, as Jonathan Dalton (Rutledge, Tenn.) led things off with a single to right center and later scored on a Patterson Single to left field.

However, the Saints took control of the game in the third inning with a five-run outburst as they collected four hits and took advantage of four walks. Snitker came through with a two-run single, while Carpenter delivered a two-run home run to give North Georgia a 7-1 lead.

Dalton drove in Mason Guymon (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) in the home half of the third with a sacrifice fly to make it a 7-2 ballgame.

The Eagles added a run in the seventh on a Cody Nix (Cartersville, Ga.) single, and a run-scoring double by Dozier in the ninth trimmed North Georgia's lead to 7-4. However, Rickett entered the contest to record the final out and seal the win.

The Eagles and Saints will finish off their two-game set with a game on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.