VIDEO: Michael Graves Interview

VIDEO: Syerra Rogers Interview

ANDERSON, S.C. – Carson-Newman (18-10, 5-3 SAC) split a pair of games with Anderson (16-14, 2-6 SAC) on Friday, using a stellar pitching performance from Syerra Rogers (Graysville, Tenn.) to power to a game one win before a dominant showing from the Trojans in game two.

"Syerra was good on the mound in game one," head coach Michael Graves said. "Probably the best she has been this year. She was in complete control the whole time, and I thought the defense was pretty good… Other than that, that's about all that went right for us today."

C-N's three runs in game one is the least the Eagles have scored in a win this season, with the second lowest scoring output coming in six-run efforts against Converse and North Greenville. However, the Anderson offense exploded for 11 runs in game two, handing C-N a run-rule loss for the third time in four games.

GAME ONE: C-N 3, Anderson 1

The Eagles started the game on a high note, as Hayden Dye (Knoxville, Tenn.) singled to lead off the contest before Macauley Bailey (Cross Plains, Tenn.) ripped a one-out double to put two ducks on the pond. However, the next two Eagles were retired, stranding two runners in scoring position.

Anderson had the first two reach in the bottom half, but Syerra Rogers started her day by returning the favor, stranding runners on second and third.

C-N's Rogers and Anderson's Sarah DePaola traded scoreless frames in the second, sending the contest to the third at a scoreless deadlock.

The Eagles broke through in the third inning after Hayden Dye ripped her second hit of the afternoon, this time a double to lead off the third. Mari Robbins (Sweetwater, Tenn.) followed with a bunt single before Macauley Bailey scored Dye on an RBI single through the left side to give C-N the one-run edge. Despite stranding a runner in scoring position, C-N did enough to take the lead in the third.

Rogers did her part in the home half of the third, stranding a two-out double on second with a strikeout to end the frame, retaining C-N's one run lead.

After a scoreless fourth inning for both sides, Hayden Dye continued her excellent day at the plate with a moonshot to left, doubling C-N's lead on a solo shot. C-N had opportunities to extend the lead, but Anderson's Paige Vickery forced a popout that turned into a double play before tallying her first strikeout to end the frame.

Despite Anderson's ability to prevent C-N from putting the game away, Rogers prevented the Trojans from cracking the run column, dealing another scoreless frame in the fifth.

C-N got much needed insurance in the sixth after a Rogers single and a Kennady Warder (Harrodsburg, Ky.) sacrifice bunt to move Rogers into scoring position. Freshman Addie Saunders (Radford, Va.) came through in a big spot, poking an RBI single to left to grow the Eagle lead to three.

After the Trojans and the Eagles went scoreless in the next two frames, Anderson came to the dish needing three in the seventh. A two-base error to start the frame created a window of opportunity for the Trojans, but with some help from her defense, Rogers retired the next two. Addie Saunders made a running grab down the left field line which allowed a run to score from third, but C-N was happy to make the trade. Rogers then forced a flyout with the bases empty to end the game.

Syerra Rogers is credited with a well-earned eighth win, dealing her sixth complete game of 2025, allowing four hits while striking out five, and Anderson's only run coming in unearned. Additionally, two of the four hits Rogers surrendered came in the first inning.

Sarah DePaola is dealt her third loss, allowing two runs on seven hits, striking out two in four innings of work. Paige Vickery entered the circle to toss the final three innings, allowing one run on two hits, walking five and striking out one.

GAME TWO: Anderson 11, C-N 0 (5)

The nightcap started similarly to game one, with both sides trading scoreless frames through the first two innings as C-N's Lorelei Spradlin (Blacksburg, Va.) and Anderson's Katie Morris kept the game scoreless heading to the third.

C-N put runners on first and second in the top half of the third, as Trinity Brooks (Jackson, Tenn.) worked a one-out walk before a pitch plunked Hayden Dye. However, the next two Eagles were retired, keeping the contest scoreless.

Anderson started the scoring in the bottom of the third, putting runners at first and second after a single and a walk. The Trojans took the lead on a Lauren Brakovec RBI single before a wild pitch scored another to extend the AU lead to two. Anderson loaded the bases with two outs in the frame and made the most of the opportunity, as Paige Vickery took a 1-2 pitch to left center to clear the bases on a three-RBI double, putting the Trojans ahead 5-0 after three.

C-N failed to chip away in the fourth, and Anderson all but put the game away in the bottom half. With two outs in the frame, the Trojans scored a pair on a throwing error, Maggie Nauck scored one on an RBI single, Paige Vickery ripped another RBI double, and Chaney Crosby capped the scoring effort with an RBI single, giving the Trojans an 11-0 lead and putting C-N in a tough spot with three outs remaining to keep the game alive.

C-N loaded the bases in the seventh after Abbi Martin (Gadsden, Ala.), Hayden Dye, and Mari Robbins worked free passes, but Katie Morris ended the contest with her sixth strikeout.

Morris earned her eighth win of 2025, dealing five innings of two-hit ball, striking out six. The SAC's leader in strikeouts shutout the Eagle offense for the third time in 2025.

Lorelei Spradlin dropped her fourth contest of the season, dealing 2.1 innings, allowing five runs on five hits. Spradlin dealt a scoreless first two innings, but the Anderson offense found success with one out in the third. Riley Sikes pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing five hits and walking three. All six runs that came in while Sikes was in the circle were unearned.

C-N looks to regroup, preparing for an in-state SAC battle with No. 23 Tusculum at The Vick on Tuesday afternoon, starting at 1 p.m.

The doubleheader will be available on FloSports ($) with an audio-only stream at cneagles.com/live.

For updates throughout the 2025 C arson-Newman softball season, visit cneagles.com and follow us on social media @cn_eagles.