HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Anderson University softball team was defeated by the #5 seed Lincoln Memorial on Friday afternoon, eliminating the Trojans from the South Atlantic Conference Tournament ending their 2016 season.
The loss sets the Black and Gold's final record at 29-21 while Lincoln Memorial improves to 24-27 advancing to face #6 Queens in the 3 p.m. elimination game.
Lincoln Memorial 3, Anderson 1
INSIDE THE BOX
A trio of Trojans collected a hit apiece to claim the only three hits by the Black and Gold on the afternoon. Freshman Kasey Grant went 1-for-3 beating out an infield hit to third base, while sophomores Cailah Niles batted 1-for-2 and Carli Hurtado went 1-for-3 with singles to the left side.
Anderson's Augie Pena (12-7) got the start allowing nine hits, three runs while striking out five in five innings of work. Junior Lauren Rudesheim replaced Pena in the bottom of the sixth facing three batters, retiring them in order.
Lincoln Memorial's Brianna Taylor pitched a complete game victory giving up just three hits, two walks while striking out three.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Trojans scored first with two outs in the top half of the third inning. After retiring the first two batters of the inning, LMU's Taylor gave up a base on balls to Michaela Smith. Hurtado advanced Smith to second on a single to left field. Niles followed with a single to center field moving Hurtado to second and Smith to third. Lincoln Memorial threw the ball home to stop Smith from scoring. In an effort to throw behind Smith after she rounded third, the errant throw by the catcher allowed Smith to score the first run of the game.
The Railspitters responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the third inning to knot the game at one apiece.
Anderson could only muster up one hit in the final four innings while Lincoln Memorial added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to put the game away.
QUICK HITS
• For the SAC Tournament Hurtado went 3-for-6, scored one run while drawing a walk. Hurtado reached base safely in 46 out of 50 games this season.
• Also collecting hits in the SAC Tournament was Grant (2-for-6), Niles (1-for-4) and Trudi Shuman (1-for-6).
