TAMPA -- Matt Webb's walk-off single in the ninth inning sparked No. 2 seed Tusculum to an 8-7 win over fifth-seeded Carson-Newman in the opening round of the 2008 NCAA Division II South Regional Baseball Tournament Thursday afternoon.

The six-team, double-elimination tournament is being held on the campus of the University of Tampa.

Webb's single capped a crazy up and down game between the South Atlantic Conference rivals, who were playing for the fifth time this season. C-N led by two runs on two separate occasions early, but Tusculum rallied with a pair of runs in the fourth inning, thanks to a two-run blast by Webb to tie the game at 3-3.

Webb finished the game going 2-for-4 with four RBI, including his fifth home run of the season. Maikol Gonzalez went 3-for-4, including his 102nd hit of the year, establishing a new school and conference record. Gonzalez tallied another single-season mark with his 30th stolen base.

Carlos Rivera also posted a 3-for-5 day, while Aaron Hudgins with 3-for-4 with a RBI.

Matt Galens picked up the win in relief as he tossed two shutout innings, walking two and striking out a pair to improve to 4-1 on the year.

The Pioneers have won four straight over their in-state rivals and have won their last three NCAA Tournament openers.

Tusculum (41-13) will play another SAC rival in Catawba tonight at 7 p.m.