ANDERSON, S.C. - The Anderson University baseball team wrapped up the 2012 campaign by erupting for a season-high 21 hits, as the Trojans out-slugged Southern Wesleyan, 18-11, Monday night at Anderson Memorial Stadium.
Prior to the game, seniors Bryce Duckett, Jonathan Romano, Riley McDermott, Brett Scarberry, Thomas Padro, Ryan Kirkland and Blake May were honored for their careers while wearing the Black and Gold.
Anderson improved to 14-36 on the season, while Southern Wesleyan fell to 20-31.
The Trojans sent 13 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first inning en route to pounding out nine hits and scoring nine runs. Four of the hits were for extra bases and AU capitalized on a pair of fielding miscues by the Warriors to gain the early lead.
Anderson pushed its lead to 13-0 in the third, while Southern
Wesleyan posted a solo run in the fourth and added two in the top
of the seventh inning. The Trojans countered with two in the bottom
of the frame to build a 17-3 cushion.
The Warriors put six runs on the scoreboard in the eighth, with
junior Carey Rowland recording a grand slam with one out. The
Trojans scored their final run in the bottom of the eighth, while
SWU responded with a pair of scores in the ninth to set the final
margin.
Kirkland finished the night 4-for-5 and drove in three runs, while scoring twice. Sophomore Zach Reeves was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and scored four times. May posted three hits in six at-bats and drove in three runs. Scarberry added three hits in six trips to the plate, while driving in two and scoring twice.
Duckett earned his first win of the season by going five full innings, while scattering three hits and giving up just one run. The right-hander struck out one and walked three.
The Trojans worked Southern Wesleyan starter Matthew Large for nine runs off eight hits in 2/3 of an inning, saddling him with the loss.
