WINGATE, N.C. – Anderson University softball's (28-19) come from behind victory fell just short in its SAC Softball opening round game versus No. 1 Wingate (41-11) on Friday morning at the WU Softball Complex.
Anderson fell behind 2-0 through five innings of hitless play by AU, to the top-seeded Bulldogs, before using a walk and back-to-back home runs by sophomore Maddie Carpenter and senior Morgan Charter to jump ahead, 3-2, after the top-half of the sixth inning.
Wingate answered back in the bottom half of the sixth inning using a lead-off walk to manufacture the tying run with two-outs. The Bulldogs were able to push across the go-ahead run on three straight hits, before Anderson could retire the side.
Down to their last three outs, freshman Carson Hobbs led the inning off with a single and pinch-runner Maggie Nauck was quickly retired at second base on senior Olivia Wheeler's hard-hit fielder's choice. Pinch-hitter Madison MacDonald ripped a line drive to right field to move Wheeler into scoring position. Wingate re-entered starting pitcher Raechel Cutcher who was able to strike out back-to-back Trojans to secure the, 4-3, victory.
Junior Laken Maxwell (4-0) step in the circle after time off from nursing a nagging injury. Maxwell gave up three hits, one run and struck out five batters in three innings of work. Hobbs (12-8) was tagged with the loss after three innings of work, giving up five hits and three runs.
The Trojans will now face Newberry in an elimination game. First-pitch is tentatively scheduled for 3pm today.
