ANDERSON, S.C. - Using a 21-hit attack and getting shutout performances in the circle, Anderson blanked Peach Belt Conference-foe Lander by identical 8-0 scores in a nonconference twin bill Friday afternoon at Smethers Field.

Anderson improved to 8-2 on the season on the strength of four straight wins, including three consecutive shutouts in run-rule decisions. Lander fell to 2-2 after earning wins in its season-opening doubleheader last Tuesday.

Game #1
Anderson 8, Lander 0 (5 innings)
Freshman Chelsea Jones was 2-for-3 in the opener and drove in two runs, while classmate Cailah Niles added a single and a solo home run. Junior Molly Child was 2-for-3 with a double and a single, with sophomore Courtney Czentnar blasting her first home run of the season in the second inning.

Sophomore Augie Pena improved to 3-0 on the season, while earning her first complete-game win. The right-hander scattered five hits over five full innings, while striking out four Lady Bearcats and walking just one.

The Trojans scored in each of the first three innings, while collecting two runs in the bottom of the first frame. Jones' one-out single up the middle plated Jessica Neidigh with the game's first run and the Trojans claimed a 2-0 advantage when Rachael Barefield brought Child home from third by bouncing out to second.

Czentnar's lead-off homer in the second inning boosted AU's lead to 3-0 and Niles' solo home run with one out in the fourth gave the Trojans a four-run lead.

Neither team scored in the fourth inning, but the Trojans claimed the win by batting around and scoring four times oin the fifth inning. Three consecutive one-out singles loaded the bases for Barefield, who was hit by a pitch for the second consecutive at-bat to force in the first run. Freshman Trudi Shuman, who was pinch-running for Niles, added another run when the Lady Bearcats' outfield misplayed Rebecca Martin's fly ball. Czentnar followed with a bases-loaded walk to force in the seventh run and two batters later, freshman Carli Hurtado laced a single to the fence in right-center to bring in the final run.

Game #2
Anderson 8, Lander 0 (6 innings)
Senior Jessica Neidigh reached base four times in the nightcap, posting three singles, and also reached after being hit by a pitch in the fourth. She also swiped two bases and scored three times. Jones and Czentnar each added a pair of singles, with Niles also ripping a two single and driving in three runs. Senior Rebecca Martin recorded a single and ended the game with a three-run double to left field. Bri Cason notched her first home run of the season - a fourth-inning shot over the fence in left-center.

Lauren Rudesheim (3-1) earned the complete-game victory by allowing just three hits over six innings, while striking out seven batters and issuing just one walk.

The Trojans took advantage of four singles and a walk to take a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning an added a pair of runs in the fourth frame. Cason led off the inning with a home run and Niles drove in Neidigh with a two-out single down the left-field line after Neidigh was hit by a pitch.

Neidigh led off the decisive sixth inning by beating out an infield single and moved into scoring position when the throw to first sailed to the fence down the right-field line. Child followed with a walk and moved to second when Niles bounced to the shortstop, but threw wide of the bag, which also allowed Neidigh to score. Jones drew a walk to load the bases and Martin pulled a two-out single to left to bring home three runs and end the contest.

The Trojans are slated to open a four-game road swing, beginning with GRU Augusta on Saturday. First-pitch versus the Lady Jags is set for 1:30 p.m.