ANDERSON, S.C. - Following a successful season-opening debut four days ago at Smethers Field, the Anderson University softball team will face its second consecutive Conference Carolinas' foe, as the Trojans go on the road for a doubleheader at Southern Wesleyan on Thursday. First pitch in Central, S.C., is slated for 2 p.m.
The Trojans
Anderson opened the season by sweeping Lees-McRae, 10-5 and 3-0,
last Saturday at Smethers Field. Freshman Cailah Niles led the
Trojans offensively, going 4-for-6 at the plate with a pair of
doubles, a home run and five RBI on the day. Veteran Jessica
Neidigh, who was named to the NFCA Division II National Player of
the Year Watch List on Monday, added three singles and a pair of
stolen bases. With her third-inning single to right field in the
opener, Neidigh set a new school record for career base hits.
Newcomers Rachel Barefield and Carli Hurtado combined for five hits and three runs scored against the Bobcats, with Barefield belting a home run in the nightcap. The fleet-footed Hurtado was a perfect 3-for-3 in stolen bases on the day. Senior Rebecca Martin added a single, a double and knocked in a pair of runs in the wins.
Sophomore Augie Pena and freshman Chelsea Jones posted stellar performances in the circle, with Pena collecting the win in the nightcap after tossing six innings of one-hit softball. The right-hander struck out eight Bobcats and walked just one, while only one LMC runner reached scoring position - after reaching on an error and stealing second. Jones struck out eight of the nine batters she faced in three innings of relief and earned her first collegiate save in the nightcap.
After the opening weekend, the Trojans lead the South Atlantic Conference with six doubles and six stolen bases.
The Warriors
Thursday's twin bill marks the season-opener for Southern Wesleyan,
which was not included in the Conference Carolinas Preseason
Coaches' Poll because the Warriors are in the first year of
transitioning to NCAA D-II. First-year head coach Becca Staton's
Warriors are competing in their inaugural season in Conference
Carolinas, as SWU begins the changeover from NAIA to NCAA Division
II. The Warriors posted a 19-32 overall record a year ago,
including an 8-20 mark in their final season in the Southern States
Athletic Association.
The Warriors are ineligible for postseason play as they transition into NCAA II, but once Southern Wesleyan gains full membership into the NCAA, it will be eligible for all postseason play. SWU continues to compete as a member of the National Christian College Athletics Association and will remain eligible for postseason play in that organization.
The Series vs. Southern Wesleyan
The Trojans and Warriors have met on the diamond every year since
the 1998 season, with the rare exceptions of the 2009 and 2014
campaigns. Anderson holds a 32-14 advantage in the all-time series
between the two programs, including a 19-7 edge in Anderson and a
13-7 edge in Central. AU and Southern Wesleyan split their last
matchups in 2013, with the Trojans claiming victories in 13 of the
last 15 meetings. Anderson has won 13 of the last 14 meetings in
Central, including the last three.
Then-freshman Molly Child blasted her first collegiate grand
slam and Neidigh went 6-for-7 on the day, as Anderson split a
doubleheader with Southern Wesleyan on Feb. 6, 2013, winning 7-3
and falling 5-3, at Smethers Field.
