GAFFNEY, S.C. – Junior right-fielder Nick Vella went 3-for-4 at the plate, with a walk and scored two runs, including the go-ahead run in the ninth inning, while senior Christian Carpenter notched his third save of the season to propel the Anderson baseball team to its first road win of the season, as the Trojans knocked off Limestone, 6-4, Tuesday night at Founders FCU Stadium.

"It was great to get a win on our first road trip," said Anderson head coach PJ Zocchi. "The guys showed a lot of energy all night. Two-out hits and some big pitches secured the in. Really proud of how the guys stayed locked in all night. All around a great team win."

Anderson improved to 3-1 on the season, while Limestone fell to 0-4.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Vella posted three singles and also reached on a second-inning walk, while sophomore Jacob Kohns was 2-for-5, with a pair of singles and also crossed the plate twice. Sophomore Jack Fassino notched two RBI, with senior Dillon Carpenter also driving in two runs. Junior Chandler Castleberry reached base three times, on a single, a walk and was hit by a pitch.

Junior right-hander Elijah Boles, who was the first of six AU pitchers, got the start on the mound for the Trojans and retired the first eight batters he faced, while finishing the day by allowing three runs on five hits over four innings. He struck out five and did not issue a free pass. Christian Carpenter earned his third save of the young season by working the ninth inning. The right-hander allowed two hits, but fanned a pair of batters.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Kohns and Vella opened the game with back-to-back singles and both moved into scoring position on a passed ball. Following a pair of strikeouts, Fassino and junior Trevor Weisner each came through with clutch, two-out singles to plate both Kohns and Vella to give AU a quick, 2-0, lead.

Boles made the runs stand up early, as the Saints went down in order in the first and second frames before Limestone capitalized on a two-out double and a pair of wild pitches to cut the Trojans' lead in half in the bottom of the third inning.

The King, N.C., native struggled some again in the fourth, as he hit the first two Limestone batters and the Saints loaded the bases with no outs on a single through the left side. But Boles settled down and struck out the side to preserve the 2-1 advantage.

Castleberry opened the fifth inning by getting hit by a pitch and was standing on third following a pair of wild pitches. He crossed the plate on Fassino's ground out to the right side, boosting AU's lead to 3-1. But the Saints countered with a pair of runs to knot the score and chase Boles, before freshman right-hander Bryan Melvin came out of the bullpen and pitched out of a jam, while posting a pair of strikeouts.

The Trojans loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the seventh and Carpenter gave AU a 4-3 edge with a sacrifice fly to center field, but Limestone quickly answered by scoring a run with two outs in the bottom of the inning.

AU threatened to score the go-ahead run in the eighth when pinch-hitter Will Lindsey opened the inning with a walk and reached third with two outs, but was stranded, while Limestone was also unable to push across a go-ahead run.

Vella opened the ninth inning by pulling a single through the right side and moved to third when Castleberry followed with a single back up the middle. After Castleberry moved up on a wild pitch, Carpenter delivered his second sacrifice fly of the contest to bring home Vella with the go-ahead run, while Castleberry moved to third. AU claimed an 8-6 lead when Daniel Blazejewski pinch-hit for Fassino and beat out an infield single that brought home Castleberry with the Trojans' second run of the inning.

Christian Carpenter came on in the bottom of the ninth and struck out the first two Saints, before surrendering back-to-back, two-out singles to put the tying run on first. The Polkton, N.C., then recorded his third save in as many opportunities by getting the final out on a fly ball to left field.

ANDERSON STAT OF THE GAME
The Trojans out-hit Limestone, 12-10.

NOTABLES
• Limestone, which is set to join the South Atlantic Conference next year, is now 0-4 against SAC teams this season after opening the campaign with three losses to Carson-Newnan.
• Dillon Carpenter and Jacob Kohns each extended their hitting steaks to four games, while Nick Vella and Cody Adams each stretched their hitting streaks to three games.
• The Trojans used six pitchers, while Limestone sent five hurlers to the mound.
• There were 12 wild pitches tossed on the day.

UP NEXT
The Trojans return to Memorial Stadium for a brief one-game homestand when Emmanuel invades the Electric City, Wednesday afternoon. First-pitch is slated for 3 p.m.

Admission to Trojan baseball games is free - No pets are allowed inside Memorial Stadium with the exception of service dogs.