ANDERSON, S.C. – No. 24 Anderson University softball (18-8, 4-4 SAC) dropped a pair of South Atlantic Conference games against Lenoir-Rhyne (21-3, 4-2 SAC) losing game one, 5-3, and game two, 6-0, on Saturday afternoon at the AU Softball Complex.
In game one, Anderson struck early, scoring two-runs in the bottom of the first inning after senior Kayson Boatner's two-out, two-run home run. Both teams remained scoreless until Lenoir-Rhyne answered back in the of the sixth inning with back-to-back home runs. Anderson was able to tie the game at three apiece, following a two-out triple by senior Jessica Neadow to score freshman Lauren Brakovec.
The Bears used two hits and a walk to produce two more runs it the top half of the seventh inning to set the final score at, 5-3.
Junior Lane Edgington got the nod in game one, pitching 5 innings. Edgington gave up five hits and struck out three batters before being lifted in favor of sophomore Trinity Queen (0-2). Freshman Carson Hobbs pitched the final two outs.
In game two, the Bears jumped out to an early 5-0 lead with LR adding one more run in the top of the third inning. AU could not get its sticks going, only picking up two hits.
Hobbs (8-4) suffered the loss after two innings of work. Junior Laken Maxwell toed the rubber for the final five innings of play. Maxwell gave up just three hits while striking out six batters.
Boatner and senior Olivia Wheeler were the only two Trojans to pick up a hit in game two.
Anderson will travel to SAC opponent Limestone on Thursday, March 16th. First-pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 1pm.
