AUGUSTA, Ga. - Playing its sixth game in four days and second Peach Belt Conference opponent in as many days, the Anderson University softball team won its fifth straight contest with a 4-3 win over GRU Augusta, but dropped the second game of a doubleheader by a 6-2 count Saturday afternoon at Jaguar Field.

Anderson moved to 9-3 on the season, while GRU Augusta improved to 3-1 after opening the season last Tuesday by sweeping South Atlantic Conference member Newberry, 8-2 and 11-3.

Game #1
Anderson 4, GRU Augusta 3
Junior Molly Child was 2-for-4 in the opener, with a third-inning single and a two-run double in the fourth inning that proved to be the game-winning hit. Freshman Chelsea Jones posted a two-run single in the third inning, with newcomer Cailah Niles reaching base three times - on a single and a pair of walks.

Sophomore pitcher Augie Pena improved to 4-0 on the season after allowing three earned runs on four hits in six innings of work. She struck out five Lady Jags and walked two. Jones earned her second save of the young season by retiring the Lady Jaguars in order in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Pena retired the first six Lady Jaguar batters in order, while Niles and fellow freshman Rachael Barefield each posted singles for the Trojans over the opening two innings. Anderson snapped the scoreless tie in the top of the third inning, when freshman Carli Hurtado led off the frame with a walk, stole second and went to third on Child's single to right field. Niles followed with a walk to load the bases and Jones laced an opposite-field single down the left-field line to bring home both Hurtado and Child.

GRU Augusta threatened in the bottom of the frame, getting a pair of runners on with two outs, but Pena escaped with no damage on a fly out to Child in center.

Sophomore Courtney Czentnar led off the fourth inning by pulling a single to left and moved into scoring position on Bri Cason's sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, senior Jessica Neidigh drew a walk and Child brought both runners home with her fourth double of the season, giving AU a 4-0 lead.

The Lady Jaguars climbed within a run on first-baseman Brooke Stephens' two-out three-run home run in the bottom of the inning, but Pena and Jones combined to set down 10 of the final 12 GRU Augusta batters.

Game #2
GRU Augusta 6, Anderson 2
The Trojans were limited to four hits in the second game, with Child collecting an RBI-single in the third inning and pulling a double to right field in the seventh. Niles added a single to center in the third inning.

Sophomore right-hander Lauren Rudesheim (3-2) absorbed the loss after surrendering six runs (five earned) off six hits over six innings. She fanned six batters and walked six.

The Lady Jaguars loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the first inning, but were unable to capitalize on the opportunity. However, GRU Augusta broke through to put a run on the scoreboard in the second frame.

Anderson claimed a brief 2-1 lead in the top of the third after Hurtado posted a one-out walk. She went to second when Neidigh bounced back to Haley Birkle in the circle for the second out and crossed the plate when Child pulled a single to right. Child came home two batters later when Jones reached on an error.

The advantage was short-lived, however as the Lady Jaguars plated a pair of run in the bottom of the third to take a lead they would not relinquish. GRU Augusta took advantage of a walk and three base hits, including two for extra bases to add three runs and take a 6-2 lead in the sixth inning.

Anderson will get back on the diamond on Tuesday, as the Trojans are slated to visit Clark Atlanta. First-pitch versus the Lady Panthers is set for 1 p.m.