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Blackburn's Blasts Lead SWU Past Anderson

ANDERSON, S.C. -- Southern Wesleyan designated hitter Davey Blackburn hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning and a three-run homer in the eighth inning and the Warriors scratched out a run in the ninth to beat Anderson College 7-6 at Anderson Memorial Stadium Tuesday afternoon. Southern Wesleyan trailed 3-1 entering the seventh, but Blackburn stepped to the plate after a leadoff single by Brian Martinez and hit a home run over the left field fence to tie the game at 3. In the bottom of the seventh, Anderson, 3-5 overall, took the lead back on a walk to F.A. Vildosola, a double by Jonathan Pitts, and two-run single by Cody Nye. But Blackburn hurt the Trojans again in the eighth. After Justin Maner was hit by a pitch and Martinez walked, Blackburn hit another homer to left field to give the Warriors a 6-5 lead. The Trojans tied the game in their half of the eighth by scoring an unearned run. With one out, Caleb Owen reached on an error, moved to second on a single by Jacob Reid, and scored on a single by Donavon Schmidt. With Reid standing on third, Anderson squandered an opportunity to take the lead when Clint Neville struck out and Reid was cut down trying to score after Southern Wesleyan catcher Nathan Swords threw to second base. The Warriors generated what proved to be the winning run in the ninth. With two outs, Michael Land reached first on a passed ball after striking out. Back-to-back singles by John Kelly and Maner brought Land home with the winning run. Southern Wesleyan reliever Jason Burke allowed one run and two hits in the eighth but pitched a perfect ninth to pick up the victory. All three of Anderson's home games have been decided by one run. Box: Southern Wesleyan 7, Anderson 6 Season Statistics