ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson baseball team is scheduled to wrap up its nonconference home schedule when Emmanuel invades Memorial Stadium, Tuesday afternoon. First-pitch is slated for 3 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 (11-16) vs. Emmanuel Lions (12-19)
WHERE: Anderson Memorial Stadium; Anderson, S.C.
WHEN: Tuesday, 3 p.m.
COVERAGE
Live Stats: AUTROJANS.COM
Video: AUTROJANS.COM
THE TROJANS
Anderson (11-16, 9-13 SAC) has dropped four of its last five decisions, but is coming off a rousing, come-from-behind 6-5 win over No. 8 Tusculum on Saturday. Freshman Brayden Owens' two-out, walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning scored senior Nick Vella from third to lift AU to the win.
Senior Davis Goodyear, who has seen action in 10 games over the last two weeks, is hitting .444, while senior Trevor Weisner has played in 18 contests and is hitting .354 on the season. Another senior, Will Lindsey, is hitting .333 in a pinch-hitting role, with sophomore Justin Fox earning a starting nod at shortstop in all 27 games. The Concord, N.C., native leads the squad with 27 hits on the year and owns a .300 batting average. Fox is tied for fourth in the conference with 11 stolen bases and has been thrown out just twice on the base paths this season.
Senior outfielder Dalton Shaw has played in 14 contests this season and is hitting .300, while Vella is riding a three-game hitting streak going into Tuesday afternoon's contest. The Queens, N.Y., native continues to lead the Trojans and is tied for ninth in the conference with nine doubles. He is tied for the team-lead with 18 runs batted in and paces the Trojans with 20 walks this season. Senior Chandler Castleberry leads the Trojans with 20 runs scored and has notched seven doubles, two triples, a pair of home runs and is tied with Vella with 18 RBI. The Waxhaw, N.C., native has also been hit by a pitch a team-high 10 times.
Shaw and freshman Tanner Bray each have a four-game hitting streak on the line, while freshman Brayden Owens is riding a three-game hitting streak. Senior Cody Adams has reached base safely in seven consecutive games, while Shaw has reached base in six straight games. Senior catcher Tyler Berry has reached base safely in five consecutive games.
Sophomore left-hander Andrew Imperatore and veteran Christian Carpenter pace the Trojan pitching staff with three wins apiece. Carpenter, who owns the school record with 24 saves in his stellar career, has made 11 appearances – all in relief - and is tied for second in the SAC with four saves. The right-hander owns a 0.60 ERA and has fanned 38 batters, while walking just two in 30 innings.
Sophomore Joseph Cottone leads the pitching staff with 46 strikeouts in 34 1/3 and owns a 3.93 ERA. The left-hander has seen the Trojan offense average less than three runs per game in his six starts.
SCOUTING THE LIONS
Emmanuel (12-19, 11-17 SAC) was tabbed to finish seventh in the Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches' Poll, after posting an 8-13 overall record during last year's Coronavirus-shortened season, including a 6-6 mark in Conference Carolinas play.
The Lions posted a 25-27 overall mark in 2019, including an 11-15 record in the conference and finished in sixth place.
Junior left-handed hurler Jake Denham, sophomore right-hander Tyler Mayfield and freshman first baseman Brody Campbell were named as Preseason Conference Carolinas' Players to Watch.
THE SERIES VS. EMMANUEL
Emmanuel holds a 13-10 advantage in the overall series that began in 1998 then lapsed from 2004-2015. The Lions have won four straight and seven of the last nine matchups in the series. AU's last win was a 10-6 victory at Memorial stadium during the 2018 season.
UP NEXT
The Trojans welcome Wingate to Memorial Stadium for a four-game South Atlantic Conference series. First-pitch for Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m., with Sunday's twin bill also set for a 1 p.m. start.
