JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Winners of seven of their last eight, Carson-Newman (9-9) continues a four-game road trip with a visit to Varsity Field to take on Southern Wesleyan (9-7) Thursday at 1 p.m.
A sweep of Southern Wesleyan would get Carson-Newman back above .500 for the first time this season since starting the year 1-0. The Eagles were 2-8 through their first 10 games, but have rounded into form and won seven of their last eight.
Macey Hughes enters her senior season poised to make some inroads into the Carson-Newman softball record books. Macey Hughes sits in eighth place in Carson-Newman history for career home runs with 24, she is tied with Mandy Stevens. Next up on the all-time list is Lisa Rogers, who had 26 from 2003-06. Sara Kelley (2010-14) holds the program's all-time record with 35. Hughes is also top 10 all-time in RBI with 144. She sits in sixth, needing 13 more RBI to move into the top five all-time. Stevens also occupies that spot with 157 all-time.
Macauley Bailey sits on 22 career home runs, the 13th player in school history with 20 career blasts. She is tied with two-time All-American Elayna Siebert and her 22 home runs for 10th all-time. Bailey is two home runs back of eighth place, occupied by teammate Macey Hughes and Mandy Stevens.
With seven home runs this season, Bailey leads the South Atlantic Conference. Her 24 RBI are third in the league.
Southern Wesleyan is won once in its last six games. The Warriors are 1-3 against the South Atlantic Conference this season. SWU split with Anderson across two days in a tournament at AU, winning 2-1 and losing 2-0. The Warriors got swept at UVA Wise on Feb. 23 falling 5-2 and 13-2.
SWU is one of the most agressive teams in the country at stealing bases. The Warriors lead the nation with four stolen bases a game. The Warriors rank second in overall stolen bases with 64 on the year. The Warriors only have one stolen base against a SAC foe though. SWU swiped 17 bags in two games against Benedict, nine in one, eight in another. They had 12 in a twin bill at Fort Valley State and 13 in a doubleheader against Clark Atlanta. Taylor Pelfrey ranks fourth nationally with 20 swipes on the year.
SWU has the second-highest scoring offense in Conference Carolinas this season. The Warriors average 6.88 runs per game, also good for 25th nationally.
First pitch between the Eagles and Warriors is set for 1 p.m. Follow @CN_Eagles on Twitter for live updates of the game.
