ANDERSON, S.C. – After enduring a five-day layoff due to wet and soggy conditions throughout the region, the Anderson University baseball team is set to get back on the diamond, when the Trojans open a South Atlantic Conference series this weekend at Wingate.
First-pitch for Friday night's series opener is slated for 6 p.m., with Saturday's doubleheader set for a 1 p.m. first pitch.
WHO: Anderson Trojans (10-8, 3-3 SAC) vs. Wingate Bulldogs (12-5, 4-2 SAC)
WHERE: Ron Christopher Stadium; Wingate, N.C.
WHEN: Friday 6 p.m. / Saturday, 1 p.m. (DH)
COVERAGE
Live Stats: AUTROJANS.COM
Video: AUTROJANS.COM
THE TROJANS
The Trojans have dropped two straight and four of their last five decisions, while allowing 36 total runs in three of those setbacks. AU ranks fourth in the league with a .295 team batting average, fifth in the conference with a .395 on-base percentage and sixth with a .408 slugging percentage, while leading the SAC in triples.
Junior outfielder Nick Vella continues to lead the league with a .478 batting average and also paces the SAC with a .566 on-base percentage, while ranking second with a .681 slugging percentage. The Queens, N.Y., native is first in the conference in runs scored (26), hits (33) and triples (2) and reached base safely in 13 straight games earlier this season. Senior Dillon Carpenter has started all 18 games for the Trojans and is tied for the top spot in the conference with 20 RBI, while ranking 17th in the league with a .347 batting average. The Charlotte, N.C., native is second on the team with 25 hits and enters the weekend on an 18-game hitting streak.
Junior Chandler Castleberry is the other Trojan to draw a starting nod in all 18 contests and is fourth in the league with 19 RBI, while ranking sixth with three home runs. The Waxhaw, N.C., native has drawn a league-leading 18 walks and is eighth with a .489 on-base percentage and 10th with a .587 slugging percentage.
Reliever Christian Carpenter leads the conference with six saves in eight appearances and now owns the school record with 20 career saves. The right-hander has fanned 11 batters in 9 1/3 innings of work on the mound and owns a 0.96 ERA. Sophomore Lucas Smith has earned SAC Pitcher of the Week accolades twice already this season and improved to 4-0 after posting a 5-3 win over Lenoir-Rhyne a week ago. Senior Brent Reynolds captured his first career save in the series finale against Coker on Feb. 23.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Wingate was tabbed to finish fourth in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, after posting a 33-20 overall record last season, including a 14-10 mark in conference play and finishing fifth in the league standings.
Junior outfielder Jed Bryant was a preseason first-team All-SAC selection, with junior relief pitcher Hunter Dula earning second team honors. Bryant earned first-team All-SAC honors last season, while earning All-Region accolades from the D2CCA and the ABCA. He hit .312 with 19 homers and 54 RBI during his sophomore season, scoring 42 runs to go along with eight doubles and two triples. He posted a .658 slugging percentage on the season while adding a pair of stolen bases. Bryant led the SAC and ranked fifth nationally in homers.
Dula was a second team All-SAC reliever, while earning first-team All-Region Utility honors from the D2CCA. He picked up two wins and six saves on the season, posting a 2.86 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 22 innings of work. He ranked fifth in the SAC in saves, while hitting .257 in 46 games. He had eight doubles, two triples, a homer, 10 RBI and 27 runs scored, while stealing six bases in seven attempts.
The Bulldogs have won two straight and four of their last five.
THE SERIES vs. WINGATE
The Trojans and Bulldogs did not square off against each other during the 2019 regular season, but have met 24 times since the 2007 season, with Wingate holding a 17-8 advantage in the all-time series after the Trojans took two-of three at Memorial Stadium two seasons ago and the Bulldogs claiming a win over AU in last season's conference tournament. The Bulldogs have won two of the last three matchups and six of the last eight.
UP NEXT
AU opens a four-game homestand by playing host to 12th-ranked North Greenville on Tuesday, before Queens invades the Electric City for a three-game SAC weekend. First-pitch versus the Crusaders is set for 3 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
