AIKEN, S.C. – The No.12 Anderson University softball team (11-3) split a doubleheader at the USC Aiken Pacers on Saturday (Feb. 18) by losing game one by a score of 4-0 and defeating the Pacers 11-4 in game two.
GAME ONE
After a scoreless top of the first inning from the Trojans, the Pacers were able to capitalize on a throwing error off a dropped third strike to put runners on the corners with one out. Mallory Shaver and Skylar Morley came through with back-to-back RBI singles to give USC Aiken an early 2-0 lead.
Emily Ayers led off the bottom of the third inning with a double. USC Aiken got her home on two consecutive fielder's choices to extend the lead to 3-0. The Trojans were able to get runners into scoring position in both the second and fourth innings, but were unable to capitalize. Shi Cain hit a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth to give USC Aiken the 4-0 lead.
Lakyn Phillips was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete game shutout, striking out 13 batters while only giving up five hits as she led her team to the upset victory.
GAME TWO
The Trojans came out firing on all cylinders in game two, opening the game with three consecutive hits from Ava Worthy, Morgan Charter, and Kayson Boatner. A run came across after Lauren Brakovec was hit by a pitch, but that was all the Trojans were able to do with the bases loaded opportunity in the first.
Lane Edgington tossed a scoreless first inning to bring her team to bat in the second with the lead still intact. Once again, the Trojans started the inning with three straight hits, this time from Maddie Carpenter, Edgington, and Worthy. Charter singled up the middle to bring Carpenter home, followed by a sacrifice fly from Boatner to extend the lead to 3-0 after two innings of play.
In the top of the third, Maddie Carpenter picked up her second hit of the game, and was able to advance to third on a fielding error. Morgan Charter came through with her second RBI hit in as many at bats to bring home the fifth run of the game. Early in the fourth, Olivia Wheeler reached on an infield single, and stole second base to get into scoring position. Carpenter singled to left field, bringing Wheeler home for another RBI and her third hit of the game.
The Pacers started to fight back in the bottom of the fourth after a lead-off double from Shi Cain. Mallory Shaver and Holly Daum each had RBI hits in the inning to cut the deficit to 5-2 heading into the fifth inning.
Wheeler and Carpenter each continued their great days as they each had RBI hits in the inning to get the lead back up to five. In the sixth inning, Anderson was able to blow the game open with a pair of two-run home runs from Kayson Boatner and Olivia Wheeler to give Anderson 11 runs on the day, as they cruised to the 11-4 victory.
Edgington earned her fourth win of the season as she pitched six innings while giving up two earned runs. Carson Hobbs tossed a scoreless seventh inning, giving up two hits while striking out one.
Maddie Carpenter (5-for-5 in game two, 7-for-7 total) and Kayson Boatner (4-for-4) paced the Trojan offense. Ava Worthy (4-for-6), Morgan Charter (3-for-5) and Olivia Wheeler (3-for-5) also had excellent at bats in game two.
NEXT GAME
The Trojans will be back in action on Sunday (Feb. 19) as they play host to UNC Pembroke. Game times are set for 1:00 and 3:00, with video and live stats available at autrojans.com.
