Wingate, N.C. – The Anderson baseball team suffered its third straight setback by dropping a 5-2 decision to Wingate in South Atlantic Conference play, Friday night at Ron Christopher Stadium.

Anderson (10-9, 3-4 SAC) has dropped three straight and five of its last six, while Wingate (13-5, 5-2 SAC) claimed its third consecutive win and fifth victory in the last six decisions.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
The Trojans were limited to five hits on the night, with five different hitters posting one hit apiece. Junior Dalton Shaw posted a fourth-inning double, reached on a walk and was also hit by a pitch. Seniors Dillon Carpenter and Daniel Blazejewski, along with junior Trevor Weisner each recorded ninth-inning singles, with freshman catcher Ryan Brash garnering a single in the eighth inning.

Sophomore pitcher Lucas Smith (4-1) suffered his first loss of the season after allowing five runs on six hits over five full innings of work on the mound. The right-hander fanned seven Bulldogs and did not walk a batter.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Wingate took advantage of three home runs over the first three innings to grab a 5-0 lead and didn't score again, with Smith and relievers Brent Reynolds, Kyle Rogers and Jackson Dempsey holding the Bulldogs scoreless over the final five innings.

But the early five-run lead was more than enough for Wingate starter Mac Callari and reliever Sawyer Lee, as the duo combined to hold AU to its second-lowest run output of the season.

The Trojans avoided their first shutout of the season by capitalizing on three consecutive walks and a pair of Wingate errors to score two runs in their final at-bat.

NOTABLES
• Chandler Castleberry has reached base safely in all 19 games.
• Dillon Carpenter extended his hitting streak to 19 games
• Wingate leads the overall series, 18-8.

UP NEXT
The Trojans and Bulldogs will wrap up the series with a Saturday afternoon doubleheader. First-pitch at Ron Christopher Stadium is set for 1 p.m.