JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - A four-run ninth inning lifted the Shorter Hawks over the Carson-Newman Eagles, 9-8, in non-conference action on Wednesday afternoon.

The win stops a three-game losing streak and improves the Hawks record to 12-22 overall, while the Eagles of Carson-Newman fell to 22-15.

Shorter got on the board in the top of the fourth inning, taking a brief 1-0 lead. Three SU batters – Jerry Liang, Patrick Sanderson, and Raul Cortes reached base safely. Liang and Cortes both drew a base on balls, while Sanderson was hit by a pitch. A wild pitch by Carson-Newman allowed Liang to score, giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead.

The Eagles scored eight runs over the next three innings to take an 8-1 lead after six innings of play.

Down seven, the Hawks fought back, scoring eight unanswered runs over the final three innings.
With one out in the seventh, Blaze Vazquez walked, while Dustin Lawson singled, giving Shorter runners on first and second. Sheldon Drake reached on an error, allowing Vazquez to score and Lawson to take third. Lawson crossed home plate after a wild pitch, and Drake scored when Brian Cabrera singled up the middle with two outs. At the end of the inning, the Hawks trailed Carson-Newman, 8-4.

Shorter scored a single run in the top of the eighth. Back-to-back two out singles by Vazquez and Lawson gave the Hawks runners on first and third. Vazquez scored on a wild pitch to pull Shorter within three, 8-5.

Four runs in the top of the ninth inning put the visiting Hawks ahead for good. All four runs came with two outs. Cabrera began the rally with a double, which was followed by a Steven Maier walk and Cortes single. With the bases loaded, CNU's Robert Plohr threw a wild pitch, and Cabrera scored, making the score 8-6, still in favor of the home team.

Ty Cherry stepped to the plate with two on and two out, and homered to left field. Cherry's three-RBI homer gave Shorter a 9-8 lead.

The Hawks Tyler Cates got out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth, sealing the win for Shorter. Cates earned the win, pitching three innings of two-hit baseball in relief.

The Hawks return to action on Saturday against Gulf South Conference opponent and 14th ranked Delta State. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 12 noon EST from the Robert H. Ledbetter Baseball Complex in Rome, Georgia.