GAFFNEY, S.C. – The Carson-Newman Eagles (17-19) dropped their third straight game Tuesday afternoon 4-2 at Founders FCU Stadium as the Limestone Saints (18-17) came up with one big inning to knock off head coach Tom Griffin's group.

"We played hard today," Griffin said about his team's effort. "Our defense was solid. Our pitchers left a couple pitches up in the zone that hurt us. We had chances early in the game to put up a crooked number, but we could not get the big hit."

The Eagles had been held without a hit until senior second basemen Trace Rogers (Simpsonville, S.C.) doubled down the left field line with one out in the top of the third inning. The next batter, sophomore catcher Gooch Greer (Dickson, Tenn.), reached on an infield single to put runners at the corners. Rogers crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly to center field by sophomore left fielder Joe Tipton (Dandridge, Tenn.).

The home team was able to manufacture a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. First basemen Kyle Booth led off the frame with a double to the gap in right center field on a 1-2 pitch. After advancing to third base on a ground out, a ground out to shortstop by third basemen Tyler Wood allowed Booth to score and make it a 1-1 game.

Junior right fielder Bo Ausmus (Jefferson City, Tenn.) clubbed his team-leading eighth home run of the season on a 2-2 pitch over the center field fence to give the Eagles the lead back at 2-1.

The Carson-Newman bullpen was unable to hold the lead. With one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, Booth reached on an infield single to shortstop. A double and an intentional walk loaded the bases for Avi Ahlzadeh. The designated hitter ripped a double down the left field line to bring home a pair of Saints. A wild pitch brought home the third run of the inning to add insurance to the Limestone lead making it a 4-2 deficit for the visiting club.

The Eagles were able to put together one final rally in the top of the ninth inning. Junior shortstop Bryan Everhart (Greeneville, Tenn.) and junior centerfielder Evan Kirkpatrick (Jefferson City, Tenn.) drew a walk to begin the frame. Carson-Newman was unable to move the runners over as freshman Ryan Addington (Cincinnati, Ohio) laid down a bunt that the Saints fired to third base to get Everhart for the first out. A strikeout and infield pop fly ended the comeback bid and sent the Eagles home with a loss.

Greer notched his third multi-hit game of the season going 2-for-2 with a walk as the Eagles were held to just six hits in the game.

Junior right-hander Carson Bryant (Fletcher, N.C.) fell to 1-1 on the year as he recorded just one out while allowing three earned runs on three hits and a walk.

Carson-Newman will play at Smokies Park, the home of the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, Wednesday night at 7 p.m. against the King University Tornado. The Eagles defeated King in Bristol on March 26 as Evan Kirkpatrick hit an inside-the park grand slam in a 7-1 win.

You can listen to tomorrow evening's broadcast by visiting cneagles.com/live with coverage beginning on the Eagle Sports Network ten minutes prior to the first pitch.

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