#2 Tusculum Walks Off Against #5 Carson-Newman

TAMPA, Fla. - The second-seeded Tusculum Pioneers narrowly escaped an upset at the hands of South Atlantic Conference rival Carson-Newman with an 8-7 victory in a back-and-forth game two of the NCAA II South Regional thanks to a walk-off single by right fielder Matt Webb.

The Carson-Newman Eagles opened up the scoring in the third off of Tusculum starter Boo Morrow after Jason Gray singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a fielding error by Tusculum shortstop Aaron Hudgins to start the inning. Gray would eventually score on a wide throw by the Pioneer second baseman. Mills Rogers followed with a double down the left field line to score Nick Achberger from second, putting Carson-Newman up 2-0.

Starting for the Eagles was South Region Pitcher of the Year Brent Hontz. The Pioneers got their first hit off the bat of designated hitter Payden Houser who singled to left and would eventually come around to score after a sacrifice bunt by Hyndsman and a single by Hudgins to pull Tusculum to within one.

After Carson-Newman notched another run in the fourth, Tusculum responded with two to tie the game off a homerun by Matt Webb who finished the day with four RBIs. The right-handed Hontz got into trouble in the bottom half of fifth inning when he gave up two runs and failed to record an out before Michael Elliot entered in relief and allowed two inherited runners to score on consecutive sacrifice flies to give the Pioneers a 7-4 lead.

The Eagles wouldn't rest, managing to tie the game thanks to a clutch, 2-RBI triple from right fielder Tyler Wynn, who would eventually score on a wild pitch by Mat Galens (4-1)who came in after Wynn's at-bat, but the eighth-inning effort wouldn't be enough to top the Pioneers. Corbin Arial (3-5) got one out in the ninth before surrendering the game-winning hit to Webb and was tabbed with the loss.

Carson-Newman will go up against #6 Stillman tomorrow at 11 a.m., while Tusculum will face the winner of #3 Catawba vs. #4 Florida Tech at 7 p.m.