ANDERSON, S.C.- The Anderson University softball team snapped South Atlantic Conference leader Carson-Newman's 17-game win streak defeating the Eagles, 2-0 in game one before falling in game two, 8-5 to split the conference doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at the AU Softball Complex.
NOTES
• With the split, the Trojans are now 30-10 overall and 8-4 in SAC play.
• Carson-Newman moves to 32-8 overall and 11-1 in conference action.
NOTABLES
• Junior Rachael Barefield took advantage of her pinch hit opportunity drilling a double down the left field line to lead off the fifth inning.
• Freshman Meghan Majeski went 3-for-6 on the day with an RBI and one run scored.
• Sophomore Breanna Hagerty batted 2-for-4 on the day with two walks and a run scored.
• Junior Cailah Niles and Sophomore Kasey Grant each collected two hits in game two. Grant crossed the plate twice while adding an RBI. Niles blasted a 3-run shot and an RBI single while drawing her 27th walk of the season.
• Senior Augie Pena went 1-for-2 in game one ripping a two-out double to score the first run of the game.
PITCHING
Junior Randee Bettis (6-2) was dialed in pitching a two-hit complete game. Despite walking four batters, Bettis struck out a career high 14 Eagles winning her sixth contest of the season.
Carson-Newman's Lacie Rinus (16-4) suffered the loss after giving up six hits and striking out eight.
GAME 1
Anderson 2, Carson-Newman 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Bettis and the Trojans held Carson-Newman scoreless in game one only allowing one runner to get past second base.
• Anderson put its first run up on the board in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Hagerty singled to left center scoring on Pena's double to take the 1-0 lead.
• The Trojans scored another run in the bottom of the fifth after pinch hitter Barefield led off with a double. Junior Trudi Shuman re-entered for Barefield moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Grant. Shuman scored one-batter later on Majeski's single to right field.
GAME 2
Anderson 6, Carson-Newman 8
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Anderson took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on Niles 3-run blast.
• Carson-Newman was able to take a 7-3 lead after scoring three runs in the top of the second and top of the third while adding another in the top half of the fourth.
• The Black and Gold were able to close the gap in the bottom half of the fifth inning after Shuman reached with a single scoring on a triple by Grant. Grant also scored in the inning on a throwing error by the pitcher to cut the lead to 7-5.
• The Eagles responded with another run in the sixth inning to take an 8-5 lead.
• After being held scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, Anderson made up some noise with Grants lead-off single. Carson-Newman retired the next two Trojans bringing Niles to the plate. Niles hit fell for a single scoring Grant to bring the score to 8-6. The Eagles were able to get Czentnar to fly out on a well hit ball to center field to claim game two.
PITCHING
Senior Augie Pena (13-4) took the loss after giving up six hits and six runs. Pena was lifted after 2.1 inning of work in favor of senior Lauren Rudesheim. Rudesheim allowed just two hits while striking out three.
Carson-Newman's Alli Webster (16-4) was able to recover from the three-hit, three-run first inning to earn her 16th victory of the season.
ANDERSON STAT OF THE DAY
Benefitting from Bettis's career high 14 strikeouts, the Trojans handed the Eagles their first shutout of the season.
UP NEXT
Anderson hits the road to begin a six-game road swing making its first stop at SAC foe Lenoir-Rhyne. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 2 p.m.