JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – With a doubleheader expected to be played Sunday afternoon, Carson-Newman won the first game 1-0 in eight innings while the second game was cancelled in the bottom of the second inning due to snow accumulation as the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex opened its doors for the 2016 campaign.
The Eagles improved to 19-4 in home openers since joining Division II in 1994 and 9-2 under Griffin since 2006, his first season at Mossy Creek.
"We were inspired by Maryville College who got their field ready in five hours," Carson-Newman coach Tom Griffin said. "Yesterday our guys did a tremendous job. All of our players did a great job getting the field prepared to be able to play today. As coaches we are extremely thankful for their efforts. They enjoyed the day. I think they enjoyed playing the game. That's what it should be. We practice with passion and enthusiasm. Let's play the same way. When you have a good game and you win, enjoy it."
Carson-Newman mustered just one hit in the first five innings. UVA-Wise reliever Jared Finch retired eight straight batters when senior third baseman Brandon Roberts (Davie, Fla.) laced a double to left field with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Junior center fielder Ryan Addington (Cincinnati, Ohio) hit a hard ground ball to the shortstop, Brett Yates. It skipped off of Yates into shallow center field where second baseman Ty Lighton scooped up the ball and hurled a throw home that saw Roberts slid across safely beating Lighton's toss to give the Eagles a 1-0 win.
The Cavaliers had two players reach scoring position on the day. In the sixth inning Ryan Dickt was picked off of second base. Marcus Elmore doubled with one out in the top of the eighth inning and was stranded at third base in the frame.
Senior starting pitcher Vince Apicella (Dillsburg, Pa.) hurled a complete game for the seventh time in his career and first time in 2016. The southpaw (1-1) allowed three hits and three walks while striking out 10 on 111 pitches.
Roberts was the lone player in the game to record a multi-hit affair going 2-for-4 in a contest that featured three errors between the two sides and six total hits, three from each side.
The second game saw the Eagles charge out to a 4-0 advantage with two outs in the bottom of the second inning but snow continued to accumulate on the field in freezing temperatures forcing the two sides to call the game and limit a series that was expected to have three games played finish just one contest.
Carson-Newman will wait and see the weather for the week to determine scheduling for this week's affairs as snow is expected to continue over the next 48 hours. The next game on the docket is a contest against King (Tenn.) on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
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