AIKEN, S.C. – Despite trailing early and being down to its final out, Carson-Newman came back to tie the score before USC Aiken walked it off with two outs in the ninth taking game two of the series 5-4 on Saturday at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.
In the 40th meeting between the two programs, Saturday was the 22nd time that the final margin was two runs or fewer. After starting 2022 with nine straight road wins, Carson-Newman (1-2) has lost back-to-back outings as USC Aiken (2-0) wins a fourth straight meeting between the two teams.
The Pacers opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning behind extra-base hits. Nick Tripp lined a three-base hit down the left-field line to open the scoring bringing in Luke Parker from first base after a lead-off single. After the next two batters were retired, Marcus Mastellone laced a double into the gap in left-center field to put the home team ahead 2-0.
Carson-Newman sliced the deficit in half in the top of the third when Henry Jackson (Waxhaw, N.C.) ripped a double into left field to open the inning. Three batters later, Zach Boze (Gallatin, Tenn.) singled to left to get the Eagles on the board and make it a 2-1 game.
On the second pitch of the third, Justin Byrd blasted a homer over the wall in left field and two batters later Parker ambushed the first pitch and hit it to the same spot to stretch the margin to 4-1.
In the sixth inning, William Gibbs (Harrisburg, Ill.) fell behind 0-2 before drawing a walk. After swiping second base, Spencer Williams (Seymour, Tenn.) yanked a triple down the right-field line to bring home Gibbs before scoring on a base hit by Dalton McLain (Greeneville, Tenn.) to trim the margin to 4-3.
With one out in the ninth, Boze singled to left field before moving to second base on a wild pitch. After a ground out, Luke Goforth (Blacksburg, Va.) shoveled a 1-0 pitch through the middle of the infield to bring in the tying run.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth, James Eckert drew a walk and stole second base after a fly out to get in scoring position with two outs. Jackson Hannon drove a ball into the gap in right-center field that just missed the glove of a diving Jackson to end the game.
Carson-Newman finished with 11 hits with eight different players accounting for at least one. Jackson, Boze and Gibbs each recorded a pair while McLain was on base four times, thrice via a walk.
The Pacers recorded eight hits for the game with Parker leading the way with two knocks, an RBI and two runs scored as five different players recorded an RBI.
The Eagles and Pacers wrap up the three-game series on Sunday in the finale with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. from Roberto Hernandez Stadium.
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