WINGATE, N.C.-Despite outhitting Wingate during both contests, the Anderson University softball team suffered its second consecutive doubleheader sweep in South Atlantic Conference action falling to the Bulldogs in game one, 5-2, while dropping game 2, 6-5, on Saturday afternoon at the WU Softball Complex
Anderson slips to 24-10 overall and 6-4 SAC play while the Bulldogs improve to 13-21 overall and 3-5 in conference action.
Game #1
Wingate 5, Anderson 2
Wingate broke open the scoreless game in the bottom of the fourth inning scoring three runs using two doubles, a single and a walk.
Anderson senior Cailah Niles solo shot in the top of the fifth cut into the lead with the Bulldogs getting the run right back in the bottom half of the inning, 4-1.
Anderson senior Rachael Barefield led the sixth inning off with a solo home run to cut the lead to 4-2. Again, the Bulldogs responded with a lone run in the bottom half of the inning while shutting down the Trojans in their last three outs.
Freshman Harlie Duncan (10-3) suffered the loss after giving up five hits and four earned runs in 5.0 innings of work. Senior Randee Bettis pitched 1.0 innings giving up a hit and a run while striking out two of the four batters she faced.
Wingate's Aubrey Reep (10-8) earned her 10th win of the season. Reep gave up 11 hits while striking out eight Trojan batters.
Game #2
Wingate 6, Anderson 5
The Trojans used a five-run second inning to jump out early on the Bulldogs. The inning was highlighted by sophomore Meghan Majeski's two RBI single and junior Joshlyn Martin's two RBI double.
The Bulldogs made a pitching change to replace Rachael Weidner with game one pitcher Reep. Reep (11-4) was able to shut the Trojans down allowing no runs on four scattered hits.
Wingate took advantage of an error in the sixth to push across four unearned runs. Using the momentum, the Bulldogs led the seventh off with a single. AU's error on the sacrifice attempt gave Wingate runners at first and second with no outs. The Bulldogs sacrificed over the runners to second and third allowing back-to-back singles to score the tying run and the game-winning run.
AU's Bettis (6-3) came on in relief picking up the loss in just 0.2 innings of work. Freshman Kayla Pepper went 5.2 innings before being lifted in favor of Bettis. Pepper gave up five hits, four runs while strking out six.
Wingate's Reep (11-8) earned her second win of the day after coming in and pitching 5.1 innings. Reep gave up zero runs while striking out four. (14-3) was given a second chance start in game two giving up six hits and one earned run in 7.0 innings of work.
NOTABLES
- Niles batted 2-for-4 in game one with a home run.
- Barefield went 2-for-3 in game on with a home run.
- Junior Kasey Grant batted 3-for-7 on the day with an RBI.
- Junior Joshlyn Martin went 4-for-8 on the day with a two RBI double and three singles.
- Majeski batted 3-for-6 with a run scored and two RBI
- Freshman Mattison Cantrell batted 2-for-3 with one run scored in game two.
STAT OF THE DAY
Junior Breanna Hagerty has reached base in safely in the last 15 straight games.
UP NEXT
Anderson returns to the AU Softball Complex to host SAC opponent Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m.