AUGUSTA, Ga. - Despite out-hitting its opponent 11-8, Anderson University baseball fell short in the run category, falling to GRU Augusta 4-3 Tuesday afternoon in nonconference action at Lake Olmstead Field.
With the setback, the Trojans have followed a win with a loss in their last four games and move to 3-8 for the young season. The Jaguars improve to 5-6 overall.
The middle of the AU lineup contributed greatly as the 3-4-5 batters combined for a 6-for-14 afternoon, highlighted by senior outfielder Paul Como's home run in the second inning and double in the fourth inning. Classmate Nathan Galliford posted two hits, including a double down the left field line, while adding a run scored and an RBI. Sandwiched between the two outfielders, middle infielder Brett Cash went 2-for-5 with an RBI as he has posted two hits in each of his last two games.
First baseman Steven Cooper notched a ninth inning single to move his hitting streak to seven games, while also walking twice. Also extending a hit streak, outfielder Josh Hickman increased his hitting streak to five games after tallying a single in his first at-bat of the contest.
Designated hitter David Jones, who batted in the No. 9 position, went 1-for-4 and drove in a run to join Galliford and Como with RBIs for the game. Despite seeing action in five of AU's 11 games, Jones is hitting .417 for the season with three RBI and four runs scored.
Starter JT Trujillo tossed 5.1 innings and gave up five hits and struck out three Jaguar hitters. Reliever Evan Jordan finished the sixth inning and completed the seventh, giving up one hit and striking out two.
Leading GRU Augusta was Connor Gilbert who closed the afternoon with a 2-for-4 day with a key RBI double in the eighth inning that gave the Jaguars the lead. Also recording two hits was JD Sabo who also drove in a run and crossed the plate once.
Anderson returns to the Upstate on Thursday when it welcomes Nova Southeastern for the first meeting between the teams. First pitch from Anderson Memorial Stadium is slated for 3 p.m.
