ANDERSON, S.C. - With a pair of three-hit performances from outfielders Stephen McKnight and Nick Bernardo, followed by a strong outing from left-handed starting pitcher Nick Contafio, Anderson University baseball captured the South Atlantic Conference series over Brevard with a 6-0 shutout Saturday afternoon at Anderson Memorial Stadium.
The blanking marks the second time the Trojans have shutout an opponent this season after claiming a 3-0 victory over Mars Hill on Feb. 13 for AU's second conference win on the year. With Anderson's victory on Saturday, the Black and Gold improves to 17-20 for the season with an 11-13 record in conference play, while the Tornados suffer back-to-back setbacks to AU and drop to 17-22 overall with an 11-15 mark in the SAC.
McKnight and Nick Bernardo headlined the Trojan lineup as they combined for six of the team's 13 hits for the afternoon, as McKnight claimed the only extra-base hit between the pair with a run-scoring double in the eighth which eventually set the final score. The RBI was McKnight's second of the day after driving home catcher LJ Newman with a single to open the game's scoring in the second inning. Nick Bernardo also tallied an RBI in the second with a single to left field, which brought home designated hitter Travis Smith to post the inning's final run.
Newman and third baseman Tyler Miller added a pair of hits, respectively, as the tandem recorded a double apiece. For Newman, his second-inning double to lead off the frame was his 15th of the season, which ranks second in the SAC. Miller posted his fifth double of the season to lead off the bottom of the fifth, as he eventually came around to score on a Newman single.
On the mound, Contafio shined as he completed seven innings and allowed just three hits. Within the effort, the left hander struck out nine Brevard hitters in his first start at Memorial Stadium this season. Right-handed reliever Michael Skelly closed the door on the Tornados by completing the final two frames and allowing just one hit while posting a strikeout.
Brevard's Christian Dix led the Tornado lineup with a pair of hits, as all four of the team's hits were singles. After second baseman John Slade and Dix led off the back with back-to-back singles, the tandem could not advance to second after Newman gunned down both runners trying to steal second base. With AU's pitching performance, the BC offense failed to place a runner on third base for the entire contest.
The Black and Gold looks to continue their winning ways on Tuesday when they welcome Lander to Memorial Stadium. First pitch for the nonconference tilt is scheduled for 6 p.m.
