DUE WEST, S.C. – Behind a pair of home runs, the Anderson University baseball team snapped a seven-game slide by knocking off longtime rival Erskine, 9-3, in nonconference baseball action, Tuesday afternoon at Grier Field.
Anderson (9-19) handed the Flying Fleet just their fifth home loss of the season, while Erskine, which has already played 26 home contests this season, fell to 22-11 on the season and lost at home for the first time in its last seven decisions.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Sophomore Dillon Carpenter was 2-for-3 on the afternoon and drove in three runs, including two on the strength of his fourth home run of the campaign. Fellow sophomore Matthew Overton also drove in three runs – with a two-out home run in the top of the fourth inning. Freshman Trevor Weisner added a pair of singles and also reached base on a fifth-inning walk. Senior William Thomas scored twice.
Sophomore left-hander Brent Reynolds (1-0) captured the win in his first start of the year after scattering six hits over five innings and allowing just two runs. The Anderson, S.C., native struck out three and walked just one.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Erskine got on the scoreboard first with an unearned run in the bottom of the second inning, with AU responding by taking the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the third. Thomas led off the inning with a walk and crossed the plate when Carpenter hammered his fourth home run of the season over the right-field fence.
The Trojans then erupted for five runs in the top of the fourth, with Weisner leading off by ripping a single back up the middle. He moved into scoring position on a wild pitch and went to third when classmate Will O'Brien reached on an error by the Fleet. Thomas followed by reaching on the second straight Erskine miscue, with Weisner scoring and O'Brien going to second. Miller coaxed a walk to load the bases and Carpenter lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, which plated O'Brien and pushed the Trojan lead to 4-1. Two batters later, Overton gave AU more breathing room by clubbing his fifth homer of the season beyond the fence in right-center and boosted the lead to 7-1.
Erskine added solo runs in the sixth and eighth innings to close within four, but the Trojans countered with two runs in the ninth frame to set the final score.
STAT OF THE DAY
AU scored the nine runs on just six hits.
NOTABLES
• AU avenged an earlier 6-2 loss to the Flying Fleet.
• The two home runs ended a five-game drought for the Trojans.
• The nine walks equaled the second-highest total of the season for AU.
• Tyler Miller has reached base safely in 21 consecutive games.
UP NEXT
Anderson returns home for the first time in 18 days when Southern Wesleyan invades Memorial Stadium, Wednesday night. The Trojans will be looking to avenge an earlier 8-4 setback to the Warriors. First-pitch is set for 6 p.m.
