WILSON, N.C. – Anderson University softball used solid pitching and 18 combined hits to sweep nonconference opponent Barton, 5-0, and, 6-3, on Sunday afternoon at Jeffries Field.
With the wins, Anderson improves to 8-4 overall while the Bulldogs fall to 3-5 overall.
GAME 1 Anderson 5 Barton 0
The Trojans use six hits to score all five runs in the top of the fourth inning, giving junior hurler Kayla Pepper plenty of run support to win the opening game of the doubleheader
For the game, senior Mattie Hamilton and sophomore Morgan Charter batted 2-for-4 scoring one run apiece for the Black and Gold. Junior Mattison Cantrell and sophomore Kayson Boatner each collected a hit driving in two run apiece.
AU's Charter led the fourth inning off with a single to right field, followed by a single to left field by Hamilton. With one out, Cantrell doubled to centerfield, driving in two runs. After a Trojan ground out, freshman Hope Gullatt drew a two-out walk. Junior Kennedy Burton singled to right center to score Cantrell. Senior Meghan Majeski kept the inning going with a single to left center setting up Boatner to single to left center, driving in Burton and Gullatt.
AU's Pepper (3-2) toed the rubber for the Trojans, pitching a complete game shutout. The southpaw gave up just one hit while striking out 10.
Barton's AnnaKate Gilchrist (L, 1-3) suffered the loss, giving up eight hits and five earned runs.
GAME 2 Anderson 6 Barton 3
AU's Boatner and Charter each went 2-for-4 with Boatner scoring a run for the Trojans. Sophomore Gracie Williams batted 1-for-3 driving in two RBI.
Anderson scored first in the top of the first inning with Barton answering in the bottom half of the second to tie the game at one apiece.
The Trojans big inning came in the third, scoring four runs on five hits and one error.
With one out, Boatner hit an infield single followed by a single to right field by Charter. Hamilton singled to right field scoring Boatner from second. Sophomore Sydney Belcher singled to left field with Cantrell reaching on a fielder's choice. Williams' clutched single to left center drove in two runs giving the Trojans, 5-1, lead.
Both Anderson and Barton scored runs in the fifth inning with the Bulldogs tacking on one more run in the sixth inning. AU was able to work out of the seventh inning to claim the game two victory, 6-3.
Junior Sarah Middleton (3-2) picked up her third win of the season, going the distance. Middleton gave up five hits while striking out five.
Barton's Emma Liles (L, 1-2) was tagged with the loss, giving up nine hits.
"Kayla and Sarah pitched well today and our hitters provides good run support", said head coach Tommy Hewitt.
UP NEXT
Anderson will remain on the road to face off with Chowan on Monday. First pitch is slated for noon.
