ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University baseball team is set to open its South Atlantic Conference schedule by playing host to Coker in a three-game series this weekend at Memorial Stadium.
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 (7-3) vs. Coker Cobras (6-6)
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 (Sunday Only)
THE TROJANS
First-year Trojan head coach PJ Zocchi's squad has won four of its last five decisions after surprising eighth-ranked North Greenville, 12-11, two nights ago in Tigerville, S.C.
The Trojans are third in the conference with a .292 team batting average and are in the top half of the league in seven offensive categories. AU has posted just one home run on the season, but leads the league with nine triples and has already laced 20 doubles this year.
Junior outfielder Nick Vella is tied for tops in the league with a .528 batting average and paces the SAC with a .614 on-base percentage, while sharing the top spot with six doubles. Veteran first baseman Dillon Carpenter has started all 10 games for the Trojans and ranks seventh in the conference with his .410 batting average. The Charlotte, N.C., native belted AU's lone home run in the season-opening series against King and is tied for first in the league with 16 RBI on the season. He carries a 10-game hitting streak into Saturday's doubleheader against Coker.
Junior Chandler Castleberry has drawn a starting nod in all 10 games in center field and is tied for second in the conference with a dozen walks, while batting .273. He has reached base safely in every game this season. Matt Overton and Daniel Blazejewski are hitting .385 and .333, respectively.
Right-hander Christian Carpenter leads the conference with five saves in six appearances and has fanned 10 batters in 6 2/3 innings, while hurler Lucas Smith is the reigning SAC Pitcher of the Week after notching a complete game three-hit, 7-0, shutout of Augusta on Valentine's Day. The sophomore boasts a 2-0 record in three starts.
SCOUTING THE COBRAS
Coker was tabbed to finish ninth in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, after posting a 16-28-1 overall record last season, including a 7-17 mark in conference play and finishing tied for eighth, alongside Lenoir-Rhyne, in the league standings.
The Cobras returned 19 players from last year's squad, including All-Conference honorable mention selection Casey Demko, and All-Defensive Team selection Lake Lybrand. Demko finished last season with a .295 batting average with 22 runs batted in.
THE SERIES vs. COKER
Anderson leads the overall series, 38-28, after taking two-of-three at Coker last season.
UP NEXT
AU travels to Emmanuel on Tuesday, before returning to the Electric City for a four-game homestand, beginning with Belmont Abbey on Wednesday. First-pitch versus the Lions in Franklin Springs, Ga. is slated for 3 p.m. Emmanuel defeated the Trojans, 9-5, earlier his month at Memorial Stadium.
