ANDERSON, S.C. - After a five-day layoff, the Anderson University softball team is scheduled to play host to first-year Conference Carolinas-member Emmanuel College on Friday, with first-pitch slated for 2 p.m.
The Trojans
Anderson has won four of its last five decisions, while moving to
9-3 on the season by splitting a doubleheader at GRU Augusta last
Saturday afternoon. While playing its sixth game in four days with
the trip to Augusta, AU out-hit the Lady Jaguars, 11-10, on the
afternoon, but GRU Augusta managed to record six extra-base hits,
including a three-run homer in the opener, and posted eight earned
runs in the two contests. The Trojans capitalized on junior Molly
Child's fourth double of the season to claim a one-run win in game
one, while falling 6-2 in the nightcap.
A pair of veterans and two newcomers are leading the Trojans at the plate, with senior Jessica Neidigh ranking 24th in the South Atlantic Conference with her .390 batting average. The second baseman leads the league with 41 at-bats, 12 runs scored and 16 hits, including three doubles, a triple and a pair of round-trippers. Neidigh has swiped six bases on the season and has yet to be caught on the base paths. Freshman Cailah Niles is just behind with her .385 hitting percentage and is tied for 26th in the conference. A native of Phenix City, Ala., Niles ranks second in home runs (4) and total bases (30), while holding the third spot in the SAC with 16 RBI.
Freshman Chelsea Jones is second on the team with 11 RBI and third with a .343 batting average, while sharing the team-lead with seven walks. Child boasts a .333 batting average and has ripped five doubles through the 12 games, while also drawing seven free passes. The center fielder is riding a team-best five game hitting streak and has recorded two hits in each of the last two games.
Augie Pena is a perfect 4-0 on the season in the circle and has tossed one complete game in six appearances, while also posting one shutout. The right-hander is tied for fourth in the league with the four victories and has worked 33 innings and has fanned 37 batters, while issuing just seven walks and is holding opposing hitters to a .185 batting average. Jones (2-1) has made six appearances, including four in relief and earned a pair of saves in addition to the two wins. She has struck out 17 batters and issued just one walk over 12 innings. Sophomore Lauren Rudesheim (3-2) is fifth in the league with a stellar 1.81 ERA and has recorded 25 strikeouts in 31 innings of work. The right-hander has four complete games in seven appearances to her credit.
The Lady Lions
Emmanuel, which is in the first year of transitioning from the NAIA
ranks to NCAA Division II as a member of Conference Carolinas, is
1-1 on the young season after splitting its season-opening
doubleheader with Brevard on Feb. 5.
Last season saw Emmanuel post 17 wins, which was just one victory shy of the school-record, which was set during the 1999 campaign. The Lady Lions, who lost just three players to graduation, also earned a berth in the GNAC tournament for the first time since 2006.
The Series vs. Emmanuel
Friday's twin bill marks the first-ever meetings between the two
schools.
