Griffin earns 250th win as Eagles split with Anderson

Griffin earns 250th win as Eagles split with Anderson
ANDERSON, S.C. - Head coach Tom Griffin earned his 250th win at Carson-Newman as the Eagles (8-3, 4-2 South Atlantic Conference) won game one 11-4 and lost game two against the Anderson Trojans (3-7, 3-3 SAC) at Memorial Stadium Sunday afternoon.
"It was a tough weekend because we didn't play our best," Griffin said of the series. "They pitched very well and made less mistakes. That's why they won two of three."
GAME ONE

Carson-Newman took an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. After the first two batters were retired, junior left fielder Bo Ausmus (Jefferson City, Tenn.) drew a walk followed by a single by junior right fielder Cody Fox (Seymour, Tenn.). Both runners scored on a triple by junior first basemen Evan Jurjevic (New Carlisle, Ind.) who came into score on a wild pitch.

The visiting team extended its lead in the top of the fourth inning. Junior shortstop Bryan Everhart (Greeneville, Tenn.) singled and stole second base to start the stanza. Sophomore third basemen Brandon Roberts (Davie, Fla.) drew a walk and junior center fielder Evan Kirkpatrick (Jefferson City, Tenn.) reached on an error to load the bases. Everhart scored on a fielder's choice and Roberts crossed the plate on a ground out by sophomore outfielder Joe Tipton (Dandridge, Tenn.) to make it 5-0 Eagles.

The Trojans scratched across a pair of runs in the bottom half of the frame off of Eagle starter Vince Apicella (Dillsburg, Pa.). The sophomore left-hander walked two batters and an error by Ausmus loaded the bases. Apicella walked in a run as the Eagles went to the bullpen to bring in junior right-hander Carson Bryant (Fletcher, N.C.). Bryant allowed a sacrifice fly to make it a 5-2 game before ending the inning on a line out.

Ausmus and Fox started the top of the fifth inning with singles. After a sacrifice bunt by Jurjevic, Everhart laced a two-bagger to left field to give the Eagles a 7-2 advantage.

Anderson continued the scoring in the bottom of the fifth when Bryant allowed a single and a walk before being pulled for senior right-hander Lucas Watson (Gatlinburg, Tenn.). A throwing error and base hit brought home two more runs for the home side to cut the Carson-Newman lead to 7-4.

Jurjevic walked to begin the top of the seventh inning. For the second time in as many days, Everhart launched a round tripper over the fence in left field to put the Eagles ahead 9-4. Senior infielder Trace Rogers (Simpsonville, S.C.) added a two-run single to give Carson-Newman a decisive 11-4 lead.

Bryant earned his first victory of his Carson-Newman while Watson notched his second save of the season working the final 2.2 innings of the game with two strikeouts.

Everhart went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored while Ausmus and Fox each collected a pair of hits.

GAME TWO

For the second straight game, the Eagles opened the scoring when Ausmus launched his first home run of the season over the fence in left field with two outs and the bases empty in the top of the first inning.
The Trojans responded with eight unanswered runs beginning in the bottom of the second. Galliford singled to begin the frame and scored on a double by Brett Cash. After a wild pitch and a ground out, Cash scored on a sacrifice fly giving the home side a 2-1 advantage.
After the first two batters were retired in the bottom of inning number three, Galliford singled to right field. Cash blasted an 0-1 pitch over the fence in left center extending the lead to 4-1.
Anderson scored four runs on four hits as they sent eight men to the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning capped by a fielder's choice making it an 8-1 ball game. 
Carson-Newman tacked on a run in the top of the seventh when sophomore first basemen Shade Jett (Talbott, Tenn.) drove home Roberts with a two-out single down the left field line.
Senior Dustin Dunagan (Winder, Ga.) took his first loss of the season as he gave up four earned runs on seven hits.
Ausmus and Roberts each tallied two hits as the Eagles did not draw a walk in the game.
Landon Beck threw a complete game for Anderson striking out ten batters while scattering eight hits. 
"It was a nice weekend for Bryan Everhart, Bo Ausmus and Brandon Roberts," Griffin said after the game. "We found some rhythm to swings. We're ready for a good workout tomorrow and Limestone here on Tuesday."
Carson-Newman returns to action Tuesday afternoon when Limestone comes to town for a 2 p.m. first pitch at the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex.