VIDEO: Michael Graves Interview
COLUMBUS, Ga.- In two hard-fought close contests, Carson-Newman (14-3) was unable to scratch across a run in either game, falling to both Embry-Riddle and No. 17 Alabama Huntsville, 1-0 Saturday at the NCFA Leadoff Classic.
It's tough, I'm proud of the girls", Carson-Newman head coach Michael Graves said. "I think we played two very very good teams, and we had opportunities, more so in game one than in game two to win, but we still left runners in scoring position in game two as well. We had some good swings I thought, off great pitchers and they made some great plays defensively too."
GAME ONE: Embry-Riddle 1, Carson-Newman 0
Carson-Newman got in trouble early on, as starting pitcher Syerra Rogers (Graysville, Tenn.) walked the first two batters. Freshman Riley Sikes (Powell, Tenn.) then came into the game, helping C-N get out of a bases loaded, one out jam to keep Embry-Riddle off the scoreboard in the first inning.
Sikes got out of another jam in the top of the 4th, as the freshman barreled down, getting Kelsey Kressler to pop out to third with runners at second and third.
Embry-Riddle threatened once again in the top of the fifth. With two outs, and runners at first and second base, pinch hitter Lauren Latoria delivered a single to center. Karina Ortiz-Munoz rounded second and was headed to third but was thrown out by SieAnna Cameron (Alcoa, Tenn.), just before Mia Macchia had reached home plate. Cameron's stellar defensive play helped keep the game scoreless.
The Eagles managed to get hits in each of the first four innings but stranded a runner every time. C-N had a quality chance to score in the bottom of the fifth. Carmen Holt (Lawrenceburg, Ky) and Abbi Martin (Gadsden, Ala) started the inning with singles, setting up the top of the order with runners at first and third with no one out. However, C-N came up empty. Cameron hit into a fielder's choice, Macey Hughes (Corryton, Tenn.) struck out and Macauley Bailey (Cross Plains, Tenn.) also hit into a fielder's choice effectively ending the inning.
Embry-Riddle got the game's only run with two strikes and two outs in the top of the 6th inning. Isabelle Bonn delivered a single to right center field to score pinch hitter Leah Oberkehr to put Embry-Riddle ahead.
Carson-Newman had quality chances to tie it in the bottom of the 7th. Holt led off the inning with single up the middle. Martin bunted her to second base for the first out of the inning. On the first pitch to Cameron, Holt was able to advance to third on a wild pitch. The Eagles came up empty once again, as Cameron struck out, and Hughes grounded out to end the game.
C-N managed to get a hit in every inning and left at least one runner aboard each inning.
Holt and Martin both delivered two hit performances in game one. Three other Eagles managed one hit as well.
Sikes went the distance in the circle, allowing seven hits, one walk and just the one earned run, while striking out four.
Mallory Kinahan threw a complete game shutout, allowing seven hits, one walk and recording five strikeouts.
GAME TWO: No.17 Alabama Huntsville 1, Carson-Newman 0
Less than 45 minutes later, C-N ventured to the Stadium field to take on Alabama Huntsville.
Both starting pitchers delivered 1-2-3 first innings in the circle. The Chargers got their first hit of the evening from Jada Henderson with an out in the second inning. Gracie Green followed with another single, advancing Henderson to second. Freshman Rylee Gattis (Southside, Ala.) was able to get out of the early jam, forcing two infield pop ups to end the inning.
C-N got its first base runner in the top of the 3rd, as Holt drew a one-out walk. She advanced to second on a wild pitch but was stranded there after a pair of strikeouts ended the frame.
The Eagles next base runner came in the top of the 5th, as Kennedy Warder (Harrodsburg, Ky.) drew a lead-off walk. Mary Vandergriff (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) bunted Warder into scoring position, but C-N was unable to drive in the runner and the game remained scoreless.
Gattis allowed base hits in both the fourth and fifth innings but managed to get out of those innings unscathed.
UAH took advantage of another opportunity in the bottom of the seventh. Henderson singled and later stole second. Pinch hitter Laura Harbin drew a walk, setting up first and second with two outs. Alexa Douthitt came on as pinch hitter, delivering a two-strike single to center to score Henderson for a walk-off win.
C-N's last base runner of the contest came with two outs in the sixth, as Hughes drew a walk. The Eagles were held hitless for the first time since March 30, 2016, when Erskine did it to C-N in the first game of a doubleheader.
Gattis was phenomenal once again for C-N, pitching 6 and 2/3 innings, allowing six hits, one walk and struck out one.
"I thought our effort was still there," Graves said. "We're still diving after balls defensively, running down balls in the gaps. The energy is still there, and we are taking good swings, and pitching is great. When you play good teams like this, unfortunately someone has to lose. But, tomorrow I think you'll see a team come out on a mission and I expect to see a win."
Chargers' starting pitcher Katie Bracken walked three batters and struck out nine C-N hitters in the complete game shutout. UAH managed six hits, from five different hitters.
The Eagles wrap their trip to Georgia tomorrow morning with an 11:30 a.m. matchup with Ohio Dominican. Both games will be broadcast on the Eagle Sports Network at cneagles.com/live.
