ANDERSON, S.C-The Anderson University softball team dropped its regular season SAC doubleheader finale falling in game one, 9-4, while dropping the nightcap, 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at the AU Softball Complex.
Anderson drops to 31-15 overall and 11-9 in SAC play while Newberry improves to 30-18 overall and 11-9 in conference action.
Game #1
Newberry 9, Anderson 4
Despite collecting 11 hits, the Trojans could not score enough runs to overcome Newberry's 11 hit, 9-run outing.
Anderson was able to tie the score at 2-2 after two innings of play. However the Wolves outscored the Black and Gold 7-2 over the final 5 innings of play.
Anderson senior Randee Bettis pitched two-thirds of an inning before being removed in favor of freshman Kayla Pepper (11-5). Pepper gave up 11 hits and seven earned runs while striking out three.
Newberry's Alyssa Ball (12-10) coupled with great defensive plays earned her 12th win of the season. Ball gave up 11 hits, walked three while striking out six.
Game #2
Newberry 4, Anderson 3
Newberry jumped out to a 4-0 lead through three innings of play before the Trojans answered back with two of their own.
In the bottom of the fourth, freshman Abi Webb ripped a two-out double scoring junior Kasey Grant. Sophomore Meghan Majeski's base hit down the left field lined pushed Webb across the plate for the second run of the game.
Anderson used a lead-off walk to junior Joshlyn Martin to produce a lone run in the fifth inning. Sophomore Mattie Hamilton's double scored Martin to close the gap to one, 4-3.
The Black and Gold didn't produce a baserunner in the sixth inning while senior Cailah Niles leadoff walk was wasted with the next three batters going down in order.
AU's freshman Harlie Duncan (14-4) suffered the loss giving up eight hits, three walks and striking out one.
The Wolves Chelsey Cunningham (6-1) gave up six hits and three earned runs before being lifted in favor of senior Emily Marchbanks. Marchbanks pitched a solid three innings picking up her second save of the season.
NOTABLES
- Niles batted 3-for-5 with two singles, a double and two walks.
- Junior Breanna Hagerty was 2-for3 in game one with two singles and a run scored.
- Junior Kasey Grant batted 3-for-6 with three singles and a run scored.
- Sophomore Ali Anderson was 1-for-2 in game one.
- Majeski went 4-for-6 on the day with four singles and two runs scored and an RBI.
UP NEXT
Anderson unofficially finished regular season play T-3rd in the SAC and will be seeded 5th after the tie-breakers. The SAC Championships are hosted by Anderson this season. The Trojans and No. 4 seeded Wingate will square off on Friday. First pitch of the single elimination game is slated for 10 a.m.
