Feb. 10, 2008

Final Stats

AIKEN, S.C.--In a game that witnessed 14 extra base hits, Carson-Newman (6-2) plated four runs in both the fifth and sixth innings and held off a Pacer rally to knock off #30 USC Aiken (3-2) 12-11 in a nine-inning marathon of nearly four hours on Saturday afternoon at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.

In the top of the fifth, Mills Rogers smacked a one-out double down the left field line that scored two as the Eagles pushed home four in the frame to turn a 5-4 deficit into a 8-5 lead. Rogers finished with a team-high four RBI on the day.

The Pacers answered with a four-spot in the home half of the fifth. Chad Jacobsen led off the inning with a solo shot to right center while freshman Nick Aranas doubled down the left field line, plating David Vitko and Ken Raborn to again retake the lead 9-8.

Jacobsen went 1-for-2 with three runs scored, but drew four walks on the day including three intentional passes. Raborn, Vitko, and Aranas each had two hits while combining for four runs and three RBI.

In the top of the sixth, Nick Achberger slapped a two-out, two-run homer to right field and Rogers drove in two more on his second double of the day as Carson-Newman seesawed back in front 12-9.

USC Aiken got two back in the bottom of the sixth, one coming on one of five Eagle errors in the game, to draw within 12-11. But after an offensive first six innings, neither team scored the final three frames.

Achberger went 2-for-3 with three RBI, two walks, and two runs scored for Carson-Newman.

Cody McMorris and Kyle Rice also had two-hit days for the Pacers while freshman Chris Grandinetti's lone hit was his second home run in as many games.

Jonathan Bolt (0-1) was charged with the loss after letting up five runs, four earned, on four hits in 1.1 innings of work. Six Pacer pitchers combined for 10 free passes.

Jake McDonald (1-0) notched the win for the Eagles while Corbin Arial (2) worked the final 1.2 innings, holding USC Aiken to one hit, for the save.

USC Aiken and Carson-Newman will square off in the rubber game on Sunday at 1:00 PM at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.