April 2, 2008

Final Stats

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Elisha Collins (Rutledge, Tenn.) went 4-for-7, including a pair of home runs as the No. 11 Carson-Newman College softball team swept a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader at Tusculum College Wednesday afternoon at Red Edmonds Field. Collins and Whitney Hickam (Knoxville, Tenn.) each connected on a home run en route to a 7-1 victory in the opener, while Stephanie Templeton (Ringgold, Ga.) and Brittany Linton (Marietta, Ga.) combined on a two-hit shutout as C-N won the night-cap 14-0 in five innings.

Carson-Newman (34-6, 8-2 SAC) has won its last five games, while the Pioneers fall to 11-20, 2-9 SAC.

Game 1: No. 11 Carson-Newman 7, Tusculum 1

Carson-Newman starter Zoe Heim (Gallatin, Tenn.) recorded a dozen strikeouts in the Lady Eagles' 7-1 win over Tusculum. Heim (20-5) went the distance as she scattered four hits, allowed a run and didn't walk a batter.

C-N got on the board in the first on Hickam's two-out solo blast to give the Lady Eagles a 1-0 advantage. C-N added two more runs in the second when Sara Little led off with a double, followed by a bunt single by Collins. Later in the inning, Whitney Kee (Knoxville, Tenn.) came through with a two-out single to plate a pair and a 3-0 lead.

Carson-Newman added another run in the fourth and a two more in the fifth, coming on a two-run homer by Collins. Tusculum scored in the bottom of the frame when Makenzie Loy reached on a one-out single. Pinch runner Alex Kimbrell took over for Loy and later scored on a wild pitch.

The Lady Eagles finished with 10 hits in the game, including two hits each by Collins, Hickam and Kee. Loy led the Pioneers with her 2-for-3 effort at the plate.

Game 2: No. 11 Carson-Newman 14, Tusculum 0 (5 innings)

The Lady Eagles erupted for 19 hits in the second game, including six in a five-run sixth inning as Carson-Newman won 14-0 in five innings.

Mandy Stevens (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Amber Palmer (Kennesaw, Ga.) each had three-hit outings, while Collins clubbed her second round-tripper of the day. Stevens tallied a pair of doubles in the contest, her 13th and 14th of the season, while Hickam posted her 15th double of 2008. Joining them in the mult-hit club for C-N were Jessie Howard (Knoxville, Tenn.), Jessie Kuhlman (Portage, Mich.), Hickam, Collins and Kee.

Templeton posted the victory for Carson-Newman as she allowed a hit and struck out five to improve to 14-1 on the season. TC starter Holli Cadenhead suffered the loss (5-7).

Tusculum is back in action on Saturday when the Pioneers hosts No. 25 Lenoir-Rhyne College on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. Carson-Newman is also at home this Saturday as the Lady Eagles entertain Wingate University.

- TC -