KODAK, Tenn. — No. 21 Catawba College tallied five runs in the sixth inning on its way to a 9-4 victory over the Carson-Newman baseball team on Senior Night on Friday in South Atlantic Conference action at Smokies Park.
With the loss, the Eagles fall to 17-23 on the season and 13-9 in the conference. Catawba improves to 30-8 overall and 18-4 SAC play. The game marked the third straight year C-N has played a contest at Smokies Park, which is home to the Chicago Cubs Class AA affiliate the Tennessee Smokies.
The Indians collected 10 hits for the game, including a 3-for-5 effort from designated hitter Garrett Furr (Gold Hill, N.C.). Shortstop Brett Underwood (Greensboro, N.C.) tallied two hits, while Josh Hohn (Greensboro, N.C.) and Julio Zubillaga (China Grove, N.C.) each had a double. Chris Dula (Troutman, N.C.) finished with a hit and two RBIs.
The Eagles managed just seven hits, as senior Jonathan Dalton (Rutledge, Tenn.) led the way with a double and a RBI. Senior Evan Patterson (Knoxville, Tenn.) contributed a stand-up triple, while catcher Mason Guymon (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) had a hit and a RBI and Trace Rogers (Simpsonville, S.C.) pitched in a single and a RBI. Third baseman Lance Rorex (Chattanooga, Tenn.) finished with a double and a run scored.
Catawba starting hurler Nick Lomascolo (Mooresville, N.C.) delivered a stellar performance in picking up the win. Lomascolo (7-1) surrendered two earned runs and five hits in seven innings on the mound. He also fanned three batters on the night.
C-N starting pitcher Austin Bridgewater (Morristown, Tenn.) was tagged with the loss. Bridgewater (3-6) gave up six runs and seven hits in six innings of work. He also had five strikeouts.
The Eagles got off to a strong start, as junior Aaron Vargas (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) singled, stole second and later scored on a double by Dalton to give C-N a 1-0 lead.
C-N added two more runs in the second to build a 3-0 lead. Patterson drew a walk to lead off the inning and later scored when shortstop Troy Zawadzki (Shrewsbury, Mass.) reached on a Catawba fielding error on an attempted sacrifice bunt. Senior Cody Nix (Cartersville, Ga.) singled in the inning and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Guymon to give the Eagles a three-run lead.
But the Indians began to chip away in the third, as a RBI single by Furr trimmed C-N's lead to 3-1.
Catawba took control of the game in the sixth with a five-run outburst to take a 6-3 lead, highlighted by a two-run single by Dula. Blake Houston (Mt. Ulla, N.C.) and Furr each had a run-scoring single in the inning, while Hohn delivered a RBI double.
The Indians added a run in the seventh, as Underwood drew a one-out walk and then scored when Zubillaga reached on a fielder's choice.
Catawba put two more runs on the board in the eighth to put the game away, including a run-scoring single by Austin Moyer (Greensboro, N.C.).
The Eagles and Indians will wrap up their three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday at the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
