ANDERSON, S.C. - After winning every game of a five-game homestand last week, Anderson University baseball returns to its nonconference schedule and hits the road to archrival Erskine on Tuesday for the first of three meetings between the schools this season, followed by its second matchup with North Greenville on Wednesday. First pitch from Grier Field is scheduled for 2 p.m., while the game in Tigerville is set for 4:30 p.m.

The Trojans
With wins over nonconference opponents North Greenville and Limestone to begin the week, AU continued to add to its win total with a three-game sweep over South Atlantic Conference rival Mars Hill on Friday and Saturday. With the winning streak, the Trojans come into the week carrying a 6-4 overall record with a 4-2 mark in SAC play.

For the week, the Trojans hit .341 as a team, clubbed 14 doubles, three triples and five home runs, while slugging .540 in the five-game span. Junior middle infielder Kyle Bailey scored eight times on the week, while leading the team in batting average with a .500 (10-for-20) mark. The junior added 12 total bases, including one stolen base, and drove in a pair on the week. Juniors Steven Cooper and Garrett Bernardo tallied identical 7-for-18 (.389) performances, while Bernardo posted two doubles and a triple for the week.

On the mound, right-hander David Thompson tossed seven strong innings in Anderson's 3-0 shutout victory over Mars Hill on Friday. Thompson struck out seven Lion hitters and allowed just five hits on the afternoon. Also shining in the starting role was junior right-hander Cody Sheffield, as he completed six innings in AU's 5-4 triumph over MHU in the final game of the series. Sheffield totaled four strikeouts and allowed just six hits.

The Flying Fleet
Erskine enters the week with a perfect 8-0 record, including scoring double-figure runs in six games this season. Most recently, the Fleet swept a three-game series from Salem International this past weekend, including a 13-1 win and a 14-1 victory on Saturday. Prior to the SIU series, Erskine picked up wins over GRU Augusta, Miles and Benedict.

Leading the team at the plate is senior infielder Brandon Overstreet, who holds an eight-game hitting streak. Overstreet is hitting .548 on the season and has totaled multi-hit games in his last four contests. In his 31 plate appearances on the season, the senior has struck out just once.

Erskine has sent out four different starting pitchers this season, as the four combine for a 7-0 record on the season. Sophomore right-hander Kyle Foster headlines the group with a 1.64 ERA, while allowing just one walk in his two starts. Following the sophomore is Luke Crumley, Austin Gambrell and Wes Schuler, as the trio combine for 28 strikeouts in 26.2 innings pitched.

The Crusaders
Since Anderson's 13-12 win over NGU last week, North Greenville captured the weekend series over nonconference opponent, Kentucky Wesleyan, with two wins on Saturday. With the series win, NGU is 4-5 on the season with a home matchup against Tusculum pending on Tuesday.

As a team, North Greenville is hitting .309 for the season, as leadoff hitter, Allen Staton, leads the club with 18 hits, including six doubles, a triple and a pair of home runs. Staton has scored 12 runs on the young season and has driven in 10 RBI, as he leads the team in both categories.