JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (13-9, 9-3 South Atlantic Conference), will have to do something it hasn't had to all season – rebound from a dropping a conference series with a midweek game. 

The Eagles fell for the first time in a conference series this year, dropping two of three to Mars Hill.

Carson-Newman is still first in the league with a  9-3 mark when nonconference foe Belmont Abbey (14-5-1) invades the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex for a single game Tuesday at 2 p.m. The game was initially scheduled to be a doubleheader. 

"We're coming off a great lesson," Carson-Newman head coach Tom Griffin said. "We didn't stay as focused as we needed to and there were things that were uncharacteristic of us.  This was a wakeup call because we didn't play to our capabilities.  There were life lessons and our players realized that, how we handle that adversity and that it really is all in God's hands."

Dustin Dunagan (Winder, Ga.) gets the nod on the bump for C-N.  The SAC's leader in saves makes his fourth start of the year (0-2) as Griffin tries to develop his midweek rotation.

"What we're doing with midweek games is we've got to get guys work," Griffin said. "We've been fortunate that our starters on weekends have performed well, but the flip side of that is our relievers haven't been able to get much work in.  So hopefully we'll be able get some guys some work tomorrow."

Bo Ausmus (Jefferson City, Tenn.) continues to lead C-N offensively with his .352 average, which is also fifth in the SAC. 

The Crusaders boast a potent offense that features six regulars who bat .300 or better.  Ian Vasquez leads BAC with a .354 average and is tied for second on the team in doubles with six. 

BAC has won three of its last four contests after getting swept by no. 8 Mount Olive.

"They're dealing with a couple of injuries and arms, but they're well coached and are getting ready for conference play," Griffin said. "They're much like us, trying to work out a midweek rotation."

Carson-Newman and Belmont Abbey square off at 2 p.m. Tuesday.  Coverage on the Coca-Cola Eagle Sports Network begins at 1:55 p.m. on cneagles.com. 

-CN-