ANDERSON, S.C. – Freshman Walker Noland made his collegiate debut a success with five scoreless innings and the Trojan offense scored more than enough runs with three in the first inning, as the Anderson University baseball team swept the weekend series with Bluefield State by knocking off the Big Blue, 8-1, Sunday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

Anderson improved to 3-0 on the young season, while Bluefield State fell to 0-3.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
First baseman Nick Vella was 1-for-3 on the afternoon, with a single and a pair of walks and scored two runs, while James LeGrand added a single and two walks. The Lugoff native crossed the plate twice and also drove in a run. Third baseman Brayden Owens notched a two-run single and a walk, with Jackson Van Ness going 2-for-4 at the plate with a pair of singles and a run scored. Center fielder Justin Fox notched a pair of singles and an RBI.

PITCHERS
Noland earned the win after allowing just four singles over five full innings of work, while striking out eight batters and walking just one. Jackson Dempsey and Trey Princiotto combined to toss three innings of scoreless relief.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Trojans capitalized on three singles and a walk to plate three runs in the bottom half of the first innings, while providing the AU hurlers with more than enough run support.

Vella led off the fifth inning by pulling a single to right, stole second and moved to third when Carlos Hernandez bounced into a fielder's choice. He crossed the plate when Hernandez later drew a throw from the catcher after going halfway to second base – with both runners ending up safe on the play.

AU added an extra insurance run in the seventh inning and broke the game open with three more runs in the bottom of the eighth.

The Trojans lost the shutout when Bluefield State scored a solo run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth inning.

ANDERSON STAT OF THE DAY
Trojan pitchers fanned 12 batters on the afternoon and allowed just two extra-base hits.

NOTABLES
• Led by Nick Vella's three stolen bases, the Trojans are a perfect 10-for-10 in stolen bases.
• The Trojan pitching staff limited Bluefield State hitters to a .169 batting average.
• James LeGrand, Jackson Van Ness, Kye Andress and Nick Vella all carry three-game hitting streaks into Tuesday's contest at Augusta.

UP NEXT
AU travels to Augusta on Tuesday, before returning to the Electric City for a two-game homestand against Limestone on Friday and Saturday. First-pitch vs. the Jaguars in the Peach State is set for 2 p.m