ANDERSON, S.C. – Lander used a four-run third inning to escape with a 4-3 win over Anderson in nonconference baseball action, Tuesday night at Memorial Stadium.

In its final tune-up before this weekend's South Atlantic Conference Tournament, Anderson slipped to 24-25 overall and suffered just its third loss in 10 decisions.

Lander improved to 23-24 overall and avoided a season sweep at the hands of the Trojans.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Sophomore Brandon Gibbs posted two of the Trojans' seven hits on the night with a pair of singles and scored both times, while freshman Braeden Harrison added an RBI-single and also reached on a third inning walk. Junior Brayden Owens notched an RBI-double in the second inning. Senior Luke Poole was 1-for-3 at the plate, with a single and also drew a walk.

Junior Graham Brown (2-4) absorbed the loss after allowing four runs on a pair of hits in 1/3 of an inning.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Gibbs singled with two outs in the bottom of the second and scored the game's first run when Owens followed with a double to the gap in left-center, giving the Trojans an early 1-0 edge.

But the Bearcats countered by batting around in the top of the third and scored four runs on the strength of three singles and a walk.

AU cut the deficit in half with a solo run in the fourth and climbed within one with another solo run in the fifth, but both teams were held scoreless over the final four innings.

NOTABLES
• The series between AU and Lander began in 1998.
• The Bearcats lead the overall series 27-13.

UP NEXT
The seventh-seeded Trojans will square off against No. 2 seed Wingate, Friday night at the Bulldogs' Ron Christopher Stadium in the opening round of the SAC Baseball Championship. First-pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.