ANDERSON, S.C. - The Anderson University baseball team suffered a 9-2 setback to visiting Limestone in non-conference play Wednesday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
Anderson was outhit 17-7 on the afternoon as the Trojans slipped to 6-16 on the season, while Limestone improved to 8-11 and avenged an earlier setback to Anderson.
The Saints posted a four-run third inning on the strength of back-to-back two-out home runs, with left-fielder Chad Balderman delivering a three-run shot after Julian Bridges led off the inning with a single and Josh Lyon drew a walk with two outs. Balderman's homer was beyond the fence in left and one batter later, designated hitter Marcus Breeden lifted a fly over the left-field fence as well, giving the Saints all the offense they would need.
The Trojans countered with two runs in the bottom of the frame, as shortstop Thomas Padro ripped a one-out single to left. He moved all the way to third when catcher Jonathan Zalud singled deep between shortstop and third base. Zalud moved up and Padro scored on consecutive wild pitches from Limestone hurler Jeremy Peed and Anderson's Brett Cash drove home Zalud with a single through the left side.
But Peed settled down to record the last two outs of the inning, as the right-hander surrendered just one single to the Trojans over the next three innings.
Limestone added three more runs in the fourth and one in the fifth to open an 8-2 advantage, then tacked on a solo run in the ninth frame to set the final margin.
Anderson senior third baseman Blake May played stellar defense at the hot corner and added two singles in four trips to the plate, while Zalud was 1-for-3 and scored once.
Peed (3-2) earned the win, going six full innings and giving up two earned runs off five hits and struck out five. Freshman right-hander Spencer Earle (2-2) absorbed the loss, surrendering seven runs off nine hits, while striking out one and walking one.
The Trojans get back on the diamond with a three-game South Atlantic Conference series at Catawba, beginning on Friday.
