ANDERSON, S.C. – No. 15 Anderson University softball (16-4) used solid pitching and timely hitting to earn the doubleheader sweep over nonconference opponent Emmanuel (5-9) winning game one, 3-0, and winning the nightcap, 4-3, on Sunday afternoon at the AU Softball Complex.
"Really proud of all our players," stated head coach Tommy Hewitt. "Carson pitched so well today, learning more with each outing, getting better and better. Carson just loves to play"
"Lane in the circle is steady as they come," said Hewitt. "She is a hard worker that enjoys the challenge and rises to the occasion."
"Our hitters have got to become more disciplined at the plate," emphasized Hewitt. "When they do that….LOOK OUT!"
In game one, Anderson struck early, scoring two-runs in the bottom of the first inning. Freshman Shelby Bandt led off with a walk with the Lions retiring the next two batters. Senior Kayson Boatner stepped to the plate and hit her ninth home run of the season giving the Trojans the early 2-0 lead. Anderson was able to add one more run in the bottom of the second when senior Yas Laureano's sacrifice fly drove in freshman Lauren Brakovec.
Freshman Carson Hobbs (7-2) continued her solid pitching, giving up just four hits and striking out three batters.
Emmanuel flipped the script to start game two, scoring a single run in both the first and third inning to take the, 2-0 lead.
The Trojans responded in the fourth inning with four runs on four hits. With one out, sophomore Maddie Carpenter singled to left center with Boatner reaching on a fielder's choice. Back-to back singles by Hobbs and junior Hannah Whitaker kept the Black and Gold alive with two outs. Senior Olivia Wheeler hit a deep ball to the fence that the left fielder couldn't complete the catch after giving chase and losing her footing recorded the non-traditional in the park grand slam. Wheeler's four RBI proved to be the game winning runs.
Emmanuel added a run in the top of the fifth to pull within one run. AU's Hobbs relived junior Lane Edgington to finish out the game and earn her first career save.
Edgington (6-1) earned the win, pitching five complete innings.
On the day, Boatner, Brakovec and Hobbs each collected two hits apiece.
Anderson remains at home and will host South Atlantic Conference opponent Mars Hill on Tuesday. First-pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 12pm.
