Harrogate, Tenn. - On Saturday, the Lenoir-Rhyne Softball team suffered their worst lost in the SAC Tournament since a 13-0 lost to Elon in 1993 as Carson-Newman jumped all over the Bears in a 11-1 victory in the SAC Conference Tournament Semifinals. Lauren Rakes hit a solo homerun for the Bears as Lenoir-Rhyne will now wait and see where they end up in the NCAA Tournament when the selections come out next weekend.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Game Final: Carson-Newman 11, No. 23 Lenoir-Rhyne 1 (5 Inn.)
Records: Carson-Newman (35-15, 13-11 SAC) Lenoir-Rhyne (37-14, 18-6 SAC)
Location: Dorothy Neely Softball Complex I Harrogate, Tenn.
STATS OF GAME:
- Carson-Newman's Macey Hughes drove in the first four runs of the game with a two-run single in the first then a two-run home run to start the four-run third inning.
- Syerra Rogers then put an exclamation point on this one with a grand slam in the fourth to give the Eagles a double-digit lead.
- Rakes got the only run of the game for the Bears with her 8th homer of the season.
- Rakes had two of the four hits with Savannah Moorefield and Katelyn Rackard getting the other hits.
- Rakes (20-4) started the game in the circle and went two plus innings allowing four runs (two earned) while striking out four before giving way to Morgan Beeler. Beeler was tagged for seven runs in her three innings this afternoon.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- This was the 22th career matchup in the SAC Tournament with the Eagles.
- The Eagles have won the last three postseason matchups and have won 14 of 22 matchups overall.
- Only six of the 22 matchups have been decided by three runs or less.
- Bears are 62-42 all-time in the SAC Tournament.
- However Bears are now 1-4 in the SAC Tournament since the single elimination format was adapted in 2018.
- Rakes is just seven strikeouts away from 300 on the season.
- Moorefield is eight hits away from the team record.
UP NEXT: Lenoir-Rhyne will now wait for the NCAA Tournament draw. The Southeast Regional will start on May 12th.
