ANDERSON, S.C. - Sophomore right-hander Spencer Earle tossed seven full innings of one-run baseball to lift Anderson past Erskine, 6-3, in nonconference action Wednesday night at Anderson Memorial Stadium.

Anderson opened a five-game homestand with the win and improved to 13-28 with its third win in the last four games. The Trojans also claimed the season series with their nearby rivals, after defeating the Flying Fleet, 4-3, in Due West in late February. Erskine (21-16) claimed the first meeting of the season, 8-3, at Memorial Stadium on Feb. 6. The Flying Fleet had their win streak halted at three with the setback.

Senior Erick Sanderson was 2-for-3 with a run-scoring single and added a walk, while also crossing the plate once. Junior catcher Jonathan Zalud posted a double, single and a walk in four trips to the plate, while freshman Steven Cooper added a run-scoring double in the third inning. Sophomore shortstop Brett Cash was 2-for-5 and scored a run.

Earle (1-4) earned his first win of the season by scattering six hits over the seven-inning stint, while surrendering just one run. He struck out four and walked three. Sophomore Michael Skelly tossed an inning of relief without giving up a hit, while sophomore Landon Beck closed out the game with an inning of relief. He gave up two runs on a ninth-inning homer, while walking one and striking out one.

The Trojans worked Erskine starter Matt Gunter (0-1) for three runs off five hits in 2 2/3 innings, saddling him with the loss. Five additional pitchers combined to allow three runs off three hits over the final 5 1/3 frames for the Flying Fleet.

Erskine opened the scoring on a leadoff home run in the second inning by sophomore Brandon Wooten, but Earle settled down to hold the Flying Fleet to just four hits over the next five frames.

The Trojans erupted for three runs in the third to take a lead they would not relinquish, as Cooper laced a two-out double to left field that plated both Cash and Tony Price. Sanderson followed with a run-scoring single to give AU a 3-1 advantage.

Anderson batted around in the fifth inning and capitalized on three consecutive bases-loaded walks with two outs to take a 6-1 lead.

Erskine sophomore catcher Hanlon Maivelett closed the gap to 6-3 with a one-out two-run homer to left in the ninth inning, but the Fleet would get no closer as Beck retired the final two batters on a strikeout and a routine fly ball.

The Trojans also earned a half-point in the annual battle for possession for the Beville Cup, and lead Erskine by two points (6.25-4.25) with five points remaining (golf, tennis and softball).

Anderson opens its final South Atlantic Conference homestand on Friday, when the Trojans play host to Brevard. First-pitch is slated for 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.