ANDERSON, S.C.- The fifth-seeded Anderson University softball team avenged a regular season sweep dished out by Wingate eliminating the fourth-seeded Bulldogs, 3-1, from the single elimination South Atlantic Conference Championships on Friday morning at the AU Softball Complex.
With the victory, the Trojans move to 32-15 on the season while the Bulldogs season ends with an overall record of 23-26.
INSIDE THE BOX
The Trojans were led freshman Abigail Webb who batted 2-for-3. The left fielder recorded a single while hitting her third home run of the season. Senior Cailah Niles went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run.
Freshman Harlie Duncan (15-4) scattered six hits while striking out three. Duncan faced 28 batters forcing 15 ground outs and three fly outs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Niles led the first inning off with a walk moving to second on a wild pitch. With one-out, sophomore Mattie Hamilton singled to center field scoring from second.
Niles solo rocket over the center field fence pushed the Trojans lead to 2-0 after five innings of play.
Webb's solo shot in in the top of the sixth extended the lead to 3-0.
The Trojans defense paired with solid pitching held the Bulldogs scoreless until a lone run in the bottom of the sixth. The Bulldogs got on the board in the bottom of the sixth using an error and back-to-back singles.
Anderson retired the Bulldogs in order in the seventh to claim the, 3-1 victory.
UP NEXT
Anderson will face No. 8 Carson-Newman who knocked off the top-seeded Bears from Lenoir-Rhyne. First pitch is slated for noon on Saturday at the AU Softball Complex.