Greeneville, Tenn. – The second-seeded Anderson University Softball team battled seventh-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne, in the South Atlantic Conference quarterfinal matchup, to a 5-4 victory on Friday afternoon at Red Edmonds Field. The Trojans move to 29-10 overall and advance to the semifinals to face the sixth-seeded Pioneers from Tusculum. The Pioneers upset No. 3 Catawba in the last game of the day.
Lenoir-Rhyne took a 1-0 lead in the third inning after Kylee Leonhardt's solo home run to right field. The Trojans were able to quickly answer back in the fourth inning with text book coaching and execution. Anderson's Matti Cantrell led the inning off with a double and was pinch ran for. Senior Abi Webb was inserted as a pinch hitter to lay down the bunt to advance Maggie Massey. Junior Jessica Neadow was retired and junior Gracie Williams singled to through the left side to score Massey.
The Bears took the lead again in the top of the fifth inning, scoring three runs on three hits, 4-1.
AU's Morgan Charter led the fifth inning off with single, followed by senior Mattie Hamilton drawing a walk. Following a pitching change, freshman Hannah Whitaker was retired, Cantrell reached on a fielder's choice. With two outs, designated player Sarah Middleton ripped a double over the center fielder's head to score Hamilton and Cantrell to pull the Trojans within one, 4-3. Neadow followed with a double to knock Middleton in, tying the game at, 4-4.
After pitching a solid five innings, senior Harlie Duncan (13-3) was lifted in favor of freshman Laken Maxwell. Maxwell retired the side in order with a fly out and two strikeouts.
With one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, junior Kayson Boatner hit a solo blast over the left field wall to give the Black and Gold its final lead, 5-4.
Lenoir-Rhyne made some noise in their final at-bat, using a Trojan miscue, a single and a hit batter to load the bases with one out. Maxwell was able to strike out LR's Lauren Rakes and get the final batter to pop out to Hamilton behind the plate.
Maxwell (9-4) earned the win after throwing two innings, giving up one hit and striking out four.
