ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University baseball team is set to open the 2020 season, when King University invades Memorial stadium for a three-game series this weekend.
First-pitch for Saturday afternoon's twin bill, as well as Sunday's contest is slated for 1 p.m.
Admission to Trojan baseball games is free - No pets are allowed inside Memorial Stadium with the exception of service dogs.
WHO: Anderson Trojans (0-0) vs. King Tornado (0-0)
WHERE: Anderson Memorial Stadium; Anderson, S.C.
WHEN: Saturday, 1 p.m. (DH) / Sunday, 1 p.m.
COVERAGE
Live Stats: AUTROJANS.COM
Video: AUTROJANS.COM (Saturday Only)
THE TROJANS
First-year Trojan head coach PJ Zocchi's squad was selected eighth in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll and will look to surpass the preseason expectations, as well as last year's seventh-place finish in the league, behind a seasoned core of veterans along with a multitude of talented newcomers to lead this year's squad to its fifth postseason appearance.
Senior hurler Christian Carpenter earned Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition at the end of last season after leading the league and ranking fourth nationally with a school-record 13 saves. He was named SAC Pitcher of the Week twice and owned a stellar 2.53 ERA, while holding opponents to a .239 batting average in 24 relief appearances over 32 innings of work on the mound. The Polkton, N.C., native's 13 saves rank third all-time in the conference record books for saves in a single season.
Sophomore right-hander Lucas Smith posted a 3-1 record in 16 appearances (14 in relief) while recording a 2.00 ERA over 27 innings of work. He allowed just one run over his last 13 innings, while fanning 13 batters and walking just four. Reliever Cameron Hall, a native of Spartanburg, S.C., posted a 4.40 ERA in 21 appearances. The right-hander captured a save in AU's win over Mars Hill during the final regular-season series, while fanning 27 batters and walking just 11 over the course of the season.
Redshirt senior Dillon Carpenter battled through injuries last season to lead the team in both batting average (.393) and slugging percentage (.598). He was third on the team in on-base percentage (.474) and posted 14 multiple-hit games, while notching two five-game hitting streaks and a pair of four-game hitting streaks during the season.
Junior infielder Will Lindsey, who started 38 games last season, finished fourth in the league with 38 walks, seventh in the conference with his .476 on-base percentage and stood 27th in the conference with a .312 batting average. He carried a team-best five-game hitting streak into the 2019 SAC Tournament and reached base safely in the last five games of the regular season. Fellow junior Trevor Weisner drew a starting assignment in 31 contests and owned a .278 batting average.
Redshirt junior Chandler Castleberry finished last season tied for ninth in the league with nine home runs and led the Trojans with 15 multiple-hit games. He notched a team-best 10-game hitting streak in late March and reached base in 20 consecutive games during one stretch, while notching a .286 batting average on the season.
SCOUTING THE TORNADO
King was tabbed to finish eighth in the Conference Carolinas' Preseason Coaches' Poll, after posting a 14-27 overall record last season, including a 7-17 mark in conference play and finishing ninth in the league standings.
Senior first baseman (Union Hall, Va.), senior outfielder Austin Meyer (Stafford, Va.) and sophomore hurler Drew Moore (Virginia Beach, Va.) were named "Players to Watch" in Conference Carolinas this season.
THE SERIES vs. KING
Anderson leads the brief overall series, 5-1, after taking two-of-three in the 2018 season-opening series and sweeping last year's three-game set, with all six games taking place at Memorial Stadium.
UP NEXT
AU travels to Limestone on Tuesday, before returning to the Electric City for a Wednesday afternoon contest against Emmanuel. First-pitch versus the Saints in Gaffney, S.C., is slated for 5 p.m.
