WINGATE, N.C. – Carson-Newman (28-19, 13-11 SAC) came out on the losing side of a pitcher’s duel in the first game of the SAC Championships, falling to Wingate (36-19, 18-6 SAC), 3-2.
“I think we had a great effort today,” head coach Michael Graves said. “Syerra [Rogers] was great and gave us every opportunity to win… We left too many runners on base and had several opportunities to hurt them, and we never took advantage… It’s frustrating.”
Wingate wasted no time after C-N’s offense went scoreless in the first, as the first two Bulldogs reached on a walk and a hit-by-pitch before Raelynn Kramer launched a three-run home run, giving the hosts an early 3-0 edge.
C-N had an answer in the second inning to cut into the deficit, as Mari Robbins (Sweetwater, Tenn.) and Brooklyn Lucero (Loma, Colo.) tallied back-to-back hits before Syerra Rogers (Graysville, Tenn.) got aboard on a bunt single. A throwing error allowed Robbins to touch home, making it 3-1.
Rogers stranded a couple of baserunners in the home half of the second, starting a string of five consecutive scoreless frames for the senior, keeping C-N in the battle. The Bulldogs loaded the bases following a Kaylee Hobgood single with one out, but Rogers retired the next two to keep it a two-run game.
The Eagles’ third inning started with Hayden Dye (Knoxville, Tenn.) reaching on an error and moving into scoring position with one out. C-N loaded the bases on a Robbins walk and Lucero’s second single of the day, but Wingate’s Hali Scott got the better of Syerra Rogers, setting her down on strikes to end the frame.
Wingate held on to the two-run lead until the top of the fifth, when Mari Robbins poked a shallow fly ball to left, ricocheting off the glove of a lunging Savanna Brooks and trickling down the left field line, allowing Kennady Warder (Harrodsburg, Ky.) to race home from first, getting C-N within one.
The Eagles and Bulldogs traded scoreless frames in the sixth, including a 1-2-3 frame from Rogers to leave the door open for C-N with three outs to work with in the seventh.
Macauley Bailey (Cross Plains, Tenn.) singled up the middle with one out in the seventh, putting the tying run aboard. With two away, Mari Robbins dribbled one up the middle and reached on an infield single, but pinch-runner Taylor Erb (Waxhaw, N.C.) slipped going for third, and the Bulldogs applied the tag to end the game.
Syerra Rogers is dealt her sixth loss of the season despite six strong innings. The senior threw 103 pitches, allowing six hits and three earned runs, with all three coming on one swing of the bat. Rogers dealt three free passes while striking out four.
Hali Scott went the distance for the Bulldogs, allowing one earned run on nine hits, striking out seven in a 104-pitch complete game effort.
The Eagles will await the loser of Lenoir-Rhyne and Lincoln Memorial for an elimination game on Friday, with the time to be decided. The game will be available on FloSports ($).
For updates throughout the 2025 Carson-Newman softball postseason, visit cneagles.com and follow us on social media @cn_eagles.