ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University baseball team will be looking to build on its recent success when it opens a nine-game road swing with a nonconference bout at Emmanuel, Thursday afternoon and travels to Carson-Newman for a three-game South Atlantic Conference series over the weekend.
First-pitch versus the Lions in the second meeting this season is set for 3 p.m. in the Peach State, while the Trojans and Eagles are slated to get underway Friday at 2 p.m.
WHO: Anderson Trojans (8-12) at Emmanuel Lions (8-13)
WHERE: Franklin Springs, Ga. / Tom Carey Field
WHEN: Thursday, 3 p.m.
COVERAGE
Live Stats: N/A
Video: N/A
WHO: Anderson Trojans (8-12, 5-4 SAC) at Carson-Newman Eagles (14-8, 6-3 SAC)
WHERE: Jefferson City, Tenn. / Silver Diamond
WHEN: Friday, 2 p.m. / Saturday, Noon
COVERAGE
Live Stats: AUTROJANS.COM
Video: AUTROJANS.COM
Audio: AUTROJANS.COM
THE TROJANS
Anderson is 8-12 overall and 5-4 in conference play on the season after winning four of their last five decisions. The Trojans are 5-3 in their last eight home contests, but have struggled on the road after dropping four of their last five road decisions.
Freshman Tyler Berry is 8-of-24 (.333) at the plate on the season, while sophomore Matthew Overton is batting .316, with three home runs and leads the squad with 17 walks. Redshirt freshman Chandler Castleberry has reached base safely in all 20 games and leads AU with six home runs and 20 RBI, while drawing 13 walks and has been hit by a pitch six times. Sophomore Dillon Carpenter is batting .299 with three homers and 17 RBI. Junior Brandon Odachowski is the reigning SAC Player of the Week after an impressive week at the plate.
Junior Will Gee, along with sophomores Austin Todd and Christian Carpenter each have a pair of wins on the mound, while left-handed hurler Matthew Stanley has two saves to his credit. Gee has fanned a team-high 26 batters in 27 innings this season, with Carpenter fanning 20 opposing batters in 20 2/3 innings of work.
LAST TIME OUT
AU swept Coker in a three-game South Atlantic Conference series last weekend at Memorial Stadium. The Trojans claimed a 10-6 win in Saturday's opener, then doubled up the Cobras, 6-3, in the nightcap to claim the series.
Senior William Thomas posted four hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in three runs over the weekend, while jOdachowski and Castleberry were each 3-for-9 at the plate and combined to drive in seven runs over the three-game span. Tyler Miller and Alex Medlin were each 3-for-10, with Miller homering for the first time this season and drawing four total walks. Carpenter also homered twice and recorded seven RBI.
SCOUTING THE LIONS
Emmanuel posted an overall 19-32 record last season, including an 8-19 mark and a ninth-place finish in Conference Carolinas' action.
The Lions are 8-13 on the season after winning two-of-three from Limestone last weekend.
THE SERIES vs. EMMANUEL
The two teams squared off on 14 occasions between 1998 and 2003 before the series lapsed for 12 years and resumed for the 2016 campaign.
The Trojans and Lions have met 19 times since the 1998 season, with Anderson holding a narrow 10-9 advantage in the all-time series. Emmanuel had won three straight before the Trojans claimed a 10-6 win on Feb. 20 at Memorial Stadium.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
Carson-Newman was tabbed to finish tied for fifth with Mars Hill in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll after posting a 29-24 overall record a year ago and finishing seventh in the conference standings.
The Eagles matched their highest home win total of the Division II era (since 1994) by going 22-6 at the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex a year ago.
Senior third baseman Brett Langhorne was named Preseason First-Team All-SAC, while senior right-handed pitcher Will Gardner picked up a nod on the second squad.
The Eagles (14-8) are on the road for a Wednesday afternoon contest at Belmont Abbey before playing host to the Trojans this weekend. Entering the midweek contest, C-N has dropped two straight after opening the month of March with five consecutive wins.
THE SERIES vs. CARSON-NEWMAN
The Trojans and Saints have met 32 times since the 2001 season, with Carson-Newman leading the all-time series, 24-8.
UP NEXT
The Trojans head north on I-85 for a nonconference matchup at Limestone, Wednesday evening. First-pitch versus the Saints is slated for 6 p.m.
