ANDERSON, S.C.-The Anderson University softball team remained red-hot earning the home doubleheader sweep over South Atlantic Conference opponent Tusculum winning game one, 4-3 (9 innings), and winning the nightcap, 4-1 on Tuesday afternoon at the AU Softball Complex.
Anderson moves to 24-6 overall and 6-0 SAC play while the Pioneers drop to 17-16 overall and 2-6 in conference action.
The Trojans have won their last 10 outings and are 6-0 in conference action for the first time since joining the SAC in 2010.
Game #1
Anderson 4, Tusculum 3 (9 innings)
Anderson was able to put the first two runs on the board scoring one in the bottom of the fourth and another in the bottom of the fifth to take a 2-0 lead.
Tusculum was able to score two of its own in the top half of the sixth inning to knot the game up at 2-2.
The Black and Gold threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning after junior Kasey Grant hit a one-out double. Grant was stranded at second following to infield pops ups.
After a scoreless eighth inning, the Eagles pushed across the go-ahead run after Sammie West ripped her second double of the game scoring the runner that was placed at second, due to the international tie-break rule.
Anderson's Harlie Duncan was lifted in favor of freshman Kayla Pepper. Pepper faced two batters striking out the first batter she faced while getting the second batter to pop out to third for the final out of the inning.
The Black and Gold's Abigail Webb moved the placed runner over to third after a sacrifice bunt while sophomore Meghan Majeski beat out a hit to first scoring pinch-runner Shuman from third to tie the game, 3-3. Senior Cailah Niles was intentionally walked with Grant being hit-by-pitch. With the bases loaded, junior Joshlyn Martin hit a shot back up the middle that scored Majeski from third to help the Trojans claim their ninth straight win.
Anderson's Duncan (10-1) pitched 8.1 innings in a no-decision. Duncan pitched solid giving up six hits while striking out two. Pepper (8-3) received credit for the win in 0.2 innings pitched. The freshman hurler gave up no hits while striking out one of the two batters she faced.
Tusculum's Allison Pate (8-8) suffered the loss pitching 8.1 innings. Pate gave up six hits while striking out two.
Game #2
Anderson 4, Tusculum 1
Anderson scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to go ahead 3-0 adding another run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
AU's Grant led the inning off by reaching second on a throwing error by the third baseman. The Pioneers retired Martin while walking junior Breanna Hagerty. Sophomore Mattie Hamilton singled to left loading the bases for sophomore Ali Anderson. Anderson rips a three-run triple down the right field line. The Black and Gold tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth on Hamilton's seventh home run of the season.
The Pioneers made a little noise in the top of the seventh on Brittany Franse's solo home run. The Trojans defense was able to shut down any momentum retiring the following two batters.
Senior Randee Bettis (6-2) toed the rubber in game two. Bettis's solid outing saw just four hits and her sixth win of the season.
Tusculum's Lizzy Galloway (1-2) took the loss pitching six innings. Galloway gave up eight hits while striking out three Trojans.
NOTABLES
- Martin batted 3-for-4 in game one while adding another hit in game two. Martin finished the day batting 4-for-7 with three singles and a double.
- Majeski went 2-for-2 in game two while scoring the winning run in game one.
- Hamilton went 2-for-3 in game two scoring two runs while driving in one on a solo shot in the sixth.
STAT OF THE DAY
The Trojans are 6-0 for the first time since joining the SAC in 2010.
UP NEXT
Anderson hits the road for a weekend road swing playing SAC foe Lenoir-Rhyne on Friday and SAC opponent Wingate on Saturday. First pitch of Friday's doubleheader is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.