ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University baseball team will be looking to get back in the win column when Gulf South Conference-opponent Alabama Huntsville invades Memorial Stadium for a three-game series this weekend.
First-pitch for Saturday afternoon's twin bill, as well as Sunday's contest is slated for 1 p.m.
Admission to Trojan baseball games is free - No pets are allowed inside Memorial Stadium with the exception of service dogs.
WHO: Anderson Trojans (3-2) vs. Alabama Huntsville Chargers (1-2)
WHERE: Anderson Memorial Stadium; Anderson, S.C.
WHEN: Saturday, 1 p.m. (DH) / Sunday, 1 p.m.
COVERAGE
Live Stats: AUTROJANS.COM
Video: AUTROJANS.COM (Saturday Only)
THE TROJANS
Anderson is 3-2 on the young season and is looking to snap a two-game skid this weekend after getting off to the best start in program history (NCAA Division II era) by winning its first three games of the campaign.
Junior first-baseman Dillon Carpenter enters the weekend riding a five-game win streak and is sixth in the South Atlantic Conference with his .526 batting average. He leads the league in runs scored (8), home runs (3), RBI (8) and total bases (21), while ranking third with a 1.105 slugging percentage.
Junior Joseph Strange has started three games behind the plate and owns a .429 batting average, while drawing five walks. Freshman Logan Jackson has collected four hits, including a triple, in 10 at-bats and has also driven in six runs. Sophomore Tyler Berry also has four hits on the season, while newcomer Cody Adams has notched eight hits in the leadoff spot and scored five runs. Brandon Odachowski and Chandler Castlenberry are batting .313 and .304, respectively.
The senior trio of Will Gee, Austin Todd and Matthew Stanley have each captured a win on the mound, with junior Christian Carpenter notching a pair of saves in three relief appearances. The Polkton, N.C., native was named the SAC Pitcher of the Week last Tuesday and has not allowed a run in 6 1/3 innings of work. The right-hander has given up just three hits, while striking out seven batters and walking just one.
Gee has a stellar 1.50 ERA after earning a win in AU's season-opener. He scattered six hits over six innings and allowed just one run against the Tornado. The right-handed hurler fanned eight batters and did not issue a walk.
LAST TIME OUT
After opening the campaign by sweeping the three-game series against King University, the Trojans dropped their second straight decision, 14-4, two days ago at Augusta.
Dillon Carpenter was 3-for-4 on the afternoon, with a double and a pair of singles. The Charlotte, N.C., native also drove in two runs. Jackson Strange notched a double and a single in four at-bats, with Odachowski and sophomore Trevor Weisner each adding a pair of singles. Berry and fellow sophomore Will O'Brien each recorded their first triples of the season.
Junior left-hander Brent Reynolds (0-1) absorbed the loss after allowing five runs on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings of work. He struck out one batter.
SCOUTING THE CHARGERS
Alabama Huntsville was tabbed to finish ninth in the Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, after posting a 24-22 overall record last season, including a 13-16 mark in conference play.
Redshirt senior Nolan Ramsey earned Preseason All-GSC accolades after capturing Second-Team All-Conference honors at the conclusion of last season. The New Market, Ala., native posted a .353 batting average a year ago, along with eight doubles, a league-high seven triples, seven home runs and 35 RBI.
The Chargers also had two players named to the GSC Top Newcomer list in Palmer Ford and Heath Senn.
UAH (1-2) closes out a season-opening six-game road swing with this weekend's contests and has not played in nearly a week after having a midweek doubleheader versus Lane cancelled. The Chargers opened the season with an 8-7 win over No. 23 Saint Leo, but dropped both ends of a twin bill to close out the three-game series with the Lions last weekend.
THE SERIES vs. ALABAMA HUNTSVILLE
Alabama Huntsville leads the brief overall series, 2-0, after sweeping a doubleheader last February.
UP NEXT
AU visits North Greenville on Tuesday, before enjoying a five-day layoff. First-pitch in Tigerville, S.C., is slated for 3 p.m.