JEFFERSON CITY, TN - Lenoir-Rhyne scored eight runs in the first inning and never looked back, defeating the Carson-Newman Eagles 13-10.
Leading that charge was
Seth Christmas, who hit two home runs, including a first inning grand slam. In total the Bears finished with 12 hits and nine walks, compared to nine hits and seven walks from Carson-Newman.
Michael Burnley (2-0) struck out four in the victory while
Jack Renaud (S, 2) picked up the two inning save.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: #10 Lenoir-Rhyne 13, Carson-Newman 10
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (7-1, 3-1 SAC), Carson-Newman (8-3, 1-3 SAC)
Location: Jefferson City, Tenn. | Silver Diamond
STORY OF GAME ONE:
- Three of Lenoir-Rhyne's first four batters of the game were walked, setting up Seth Christmas for his first inning grand slam.
- Following two more walks, Drew Beard hit an RBI single to make it 5-0.
- Lleyton Lackey hit a 2-RBI single and Mackenzie Wainwright hit an RBI single to make it 8-0 Bears after one.
- Carson-Newman answered with six runs in the bottom of the second to keep things interesting.
- Christmas hit his second home run of the game in the top of the fourth to extend the lead.
- Fifth inning RBIs from Beard and Wainwright made it 11-6 after five.
- A three-run home run from the Eagles in the seventh cut it to one, but runs from the Bears in the eighth and ninth sealed the win.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Seth Christmas was 3-for-4 with five RBIs, two runs, and a walk.
- Drew Beard went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored.
- Trent Murchison walked three times in the contest.
- In two innings of relief action Jack Renaud allowed just one hit and struck out three.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Lenoir-Rhyne is 43-68 all-time against the Eagles.
- 13 runs is Lenoir-Rhyne's most runs scored against Carson-Newman since they scored 14 in April of 2022.
- With his single in the first inning Mackenzie Wainwright extended his hit streak to 18 games.
UP NEXT: These teams will be back in action tomorrow afternoon for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for noon.