Eagles open 2026 with two wins in snowy Tennessee conditions
Disciplined C-N hitters collect 15 hits across two games to outpace Charleston (WV) for fifth straight opening day win.
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 3 |
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0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | X | 9 | 10 | 1 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
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1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | X | 5 | 6 | 0 |
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Disciplined C-N hitters collect 15 hits across two games to outpace Charleston (WV) for fifth straight opening day win.
A series that was initially scheduled for three games was cut short due to snowy weather in the southern United States, but the Eagles took full advantage of the impending weather, grabbing the victory 9-4 in game one and 5-2 in game two.
"Everyone was trying to find some time to play with all the snow coming in. So we're fortunate to have this little bit of a window and have them come down here for today and for both squads," said Tom Griffin following the game.
This continues the Eagles' exceptional start, marking the 19th opening win for C-N since Tom Griffin took over the program in 2006. This also extends the Eagles' winning streak over the University of Charleston to five games. C-N now owns the series 7-1.
Game one: Carson-Newman 9, Charleston 4
VIDEO: C-N vs Charleston Highlights
Charleston jumped on the Eagles straight away in the top of the first. A sacrifice fly from the Golden Eagle's Carson Bradley brought Trent Dosenbach around to score, and that was the only time Charleston would lead the rest of the series. Ryan Higgins cleaned up quickly for C-N in the top of the 2nd, just one pitch away from an immaculate inning.
It wasn't until the bottom of the third that the Eagles would register their first run of 2026. A pitching change from Charleston was immediately capitalized on when Aiden Gibson was hit by a pitch and would eventually come around to score thanks to a single into center by Logan Floyd followed by Cole Nathan's contact where he reached on error. Bradley Soto Diaz would pick up his first RBI of his Carson-Newman career driving Floyd in.
C-N would add to their lead in the 4th to make a 3-1 game after Braxton Smith reached on a walk and a single each from Carson Cochran and Colton Evans would bring Smith home.
Higgins continued to show strong command in his first game back from injury, throwing five innings until a walk from Collin Kemp in the top of the sixth would end his day and Jackson Underwood took over. Soon after, Carson Bradley got the Charleston offense going with a single to left field that put Kemp in scoring position. Logan Bradish came in clutch with an RBI double to send Kemp home, which was followed by a sac fly by the catching sub Drew Lucy that brought Bradley home. The Golden Eagles leveled the score at three.
C-N's response came in the bottom of the seventh thanks to a Braxton Smith double that brought Johno Pierce in. Then, Ryan Bolton came into hit and singled into the left center gap to score Smith. The party wasn't over though for the C-N offense, who took advantage of a passed ball to pressure the Charleston defense into a rundown situation that resulted in Bolton scoring and all other runners advancing. A single from Cole Nathan drove Colton Evans in for a four-run 7th inning.
A few walks from Jackson Underwood in the top of the 8th inning pushed Carson Bradley home for his second run of the game, but the C-N offense fought back one last time. Aiden Gibson singled up the middle to bring Braxton Smith and Kylan Hornbuckle in. Underwood finished out game one strong with a strikeout to wrap this up on a 9-4 score.
The series of walks from the Charleston pitchers showcased the Eagles' offensive selectivity, with 14 walks in game one. Logan Floyd and Braxton Smith were standout at the dish. Floyd was 2-3 with three walks while Smith went 1-2 with 3 walks, 3 runs and an RBI.
The C-N offense collected nine hits and forced six Golden Eagle pitchers onto the mound.
"Alot of times when they're using different arms, that's tough to hit because you're not trying to get locked in on one guy," said Griffin "You're getting to see a different guy each time. That's tough to do when you're hitting. But we got a veteran squad, guys who've been around a little bit."
Jackson Underwood picked up the win after four innings pitched, 4 hits, and seven strikeouts for one earned run. The starter Higgins stretched 69 pitches across five innings of work with 5 strikeouts and 2 hits.
Game two: Carson-Newman 5, Charleston 2
VIDEO: C-N vs Charleston Highlights
In game two, it was the Eagles early and often, putting up runs in each of the first five innings other than the 2nd.
It was extra base hits galore for C-N, headed by a leadoff double from Braxton Smith in the first. A batter later, Floyd collected his fourth hit of the day with an RBI double down the third base line to make it 1-0.
Returning all-American Kolton Casson kept it clean in the first three frames with no hits and five strikeouts before the bats got back to work. Logan Floyd hit another double in his second AB of the second game which allowed the DH Maddox Greene to score. In the bottom of the fourth, Ryan Bolton singled into center field and reached third off two errors from the Golden Eagle defense. He finally came around to score after Mason Greene walked. Carson Cochran was not far behind, tapping home plate after Floyd reached base for the third consecutive time on another walk.
Casson's day wrapped up in the top of the fifth after Abe Fenwick drove a ball into right field, and Gavin Griner came in to relieve him. Fenwick would ultimately register the first run of game two for Charleston when John Stansbury picked up his first hit of 2026. A second run would be scored when Hunter Howell took advantage of a groundout to first base to reach home.
Bradley Soto Diaz was selective in his next AB, taking a free base, and then stealing second and advancing to third on a passed ball. A wild pitch sent Soto Diaz sliding into home safely, and the C-N pitching staff took care of business in the 6th and 7th innings to wrap up game two 5-2. Eli Norris came in to close out with three big strikeouts that kept the C-N defense out of trouble from the limited visibility of the fluffy snow.
"Offensively, we did enough. Now, early on, we left some runners on, but that's baseball. A couple base running things, but they were aggressive base running mistakes. So most coaches aren't going to argue with mistakes that happen being aggressive," Griffin said.
Kolton Casson was stout in his four innings of work with just two hits and 6 strikeouts. Norris picked up the save in this game with 20 pitches, 3 strikeouts, and 0 runs.
"We were really pleased to have Brock Culpepper and Eli Norris at the end. Those guys have been in our program a long time and have really sacrificed a lot. Have gone through a lot, both of them with some injuries and things," Griffin said. "When you see that success, you know, as a staff and teammates, that's what it's all about. To see how they've overcome, whether it's a setback with injuries and then come out and perform like they did, that was outstanding."
Logan Floyd was 4-6 across the two games with 2 RBI's and four walks. He was responsible for over 25% of the Eagles' 15 hits across opening day. Cole Nathan and Johno Pierce also both had multi-hit days and assisted C-N in outscoring Charleston 14-6.
"Logan Floyd I thought was tremendous. Every at-bat, every pitch, he's locked in on. And the swing's got a lot of good bat speed. He's got a good feel for the strike zone," said Griffin.
C-N is scheduled to take on King next on Tuesday afternoon at 2 PM in Kingsport. For updates, follow @CN_Eagles on X and Instagram, or Carson-Newman Athletics on Facebook. Full coverage is also available at cneagles.com.
