FOREST CITY, N.C. - Despite Nick Bernardo's fourth home run in three games, sixth-seeded Anderson University baseball could not keep up with top-seeded and regular-season conference champion Catawba, falling 12-2 Friday afternoon in the first round of the 2015 South Atlantic Conference Tournament at McNair Field.
With the setback, the Trojans drop to 21-29 for the season and move to the consolation bracket with an elimination game on tap for Saturday. The Indians, who claim their fourth win over AU this season, advance to the winner's bracket semifinals and improve to 36-10 overall.
The Anderson offense was paced by juniors LJ Newman and Steven Cooper, as the tandem combined for a 5-for-8 afternoon at the plate. Newman led the club with three hits, as all three base knocks were singles to increase his hit total to five for the tournament. Cooper also posted his fifth hit of the tournament, as his day has headlined by a first-inning double off of SAC Pitcher of the Year, Craig Brooks.
Nick Bernardo put the Trojans on the scoreboard in the second inning with a solo home run for his second homer in the tournament. After bashing two home runs against Southern Wesleyan on Senior Night on Tuesday, the graduate student now has four homers in his last three games.
Senior shortstop Brett Cash drove in AU's final run of the game in the seventh when his sacrifice fly scored freshman third baseman Tyler Miller from home to close AU's scoring on the day. Cash closed the game 1-for-3 at the plate.
The Catawba hitters proved to be the difference as the Indians tallied 11 hits for its 12 runs. The top four hitters in the Catawba lineup combined for a 7-for-15 performance, highlighted by a 3-for-5 performance from outfielder Will Albertson. Albertson, who is a two-time NCBWA Hitter of the Week Award winter, also posted four RBI for the afternoon to increase his season total to 80.
To go along with the seven hits from the top of the Indian lineup, leftfielder Luke Setzer matched Bernardo's home run with a two-run shot over the 25-foot left-field wall to cap off a five-run third inning. For Setzer, the home run was his third of the season. Follow Setzer, Dylan Richardson and Kyle Smith posted a double apiece for the afternoon.
Shining on the pitching mound for the Black and Gold was freshman right-hander Matthew Reitz, who tossed 4.2 innings and allowed just one hit. Reitz struck out one Catawba hitter and headlined his outing by sitting down 11 straight to begin his relief appearance. Right-hander Chris Ayers was tabbed with the loss despite striking out five in three complete innings.
On the opposite end, Brooks tossed five complete and struck out 10 AU hitters to claim his 10th victory of the campaign.
Anderson looks to get back on track on Saturday when it squares off with the loser of second-seeded Newberry and fifth-seeded Wingate in its elimination game of the tournament. First pitch from McNair Field is scheduled for noon.
