ANDERSON, S.C. - Using superb pitching and offensive efforts, the Anderson softball team outpaced Lander, 8-3 and 7-2, in non-conference action Wednesday afternoon at Smethers Field.
Anderson (7-2) has won four straight, while snapping Lander's (5-5) four game win streak.
Game #1
Anderson 8, Lander 3
The Trojans fed off a three-up-three-down first inning effort from their ace pitcher Casey Deer. In the bottom half of the inning the Trojans wasted no time getting on the scoreboard with two early runs. Freshman Danielle Swygert started off the inning with a walk, followed by a two-run home run from freshman Abby Child that gave Anderson the early 2-0 lead.
Deer continued to post zeros up on the board until the fourth inning when LU sophomore Alyssa Hartley hit an RBI-double to the left-center gap, cutting the Trojans lead to 2-1. In the bottom of the inning, Anderson's offensive surge would put the game out of reach for the Bearcats as Anderson posted five runs off four hits. With one out and the bases loaded for Kinsley Durham, the senior came through with an RBI-single to make the score 3-1. The next batter, Brooke Lucas, followed with an infield single to bring home Amber Duncan. One batter later, Swygert drilled an RBI double to bring home three more Trojan base runners, making the score 7-2.
The Bearcats attempted a late-game rally in the seventh but one run and four runners left on base wouldn't bring them back as the Trojans took the 8-3 victory.
Freshman shortstop Abby Child paced the Trojans with four hits and two RBI. Swygert went three-for-three and led Anderson with three RBI. Deer went all seven innings, giving up just two earned runs off of nine hits.
Game #2
Anderson 7, Lander 2
In the nightcap, Lander took an early 1-0 lead off of a wild pitch from the Trojans' hurler in the opening inning, but Anderson struck back quickly in the bottom part of the first as the Trojans were able to turn three hits into two runs. With two outs and runners on second and third, Charlotte Sieber was able to single down the right field line to bring Child and Laura Jansky across the plate. The freshman helped give the Trojans their first lead of the contest 2-1.
The scoring stayed quiet for both teams until the bottom of the fourth inning. Brooke Lucas was able to move her way over to third base after a Bearcat error and a sacrifice. The next batter, Swygert made Lander pay with a double to deep center field that allowed Lucas to score easily. Three batters later, leading 3-1 with the bases loaded, Amber Duncan came through with an RBI-single to tack on another run for Anderson. The Trojans scored a final time in the inning when one batter later, Sieber walked with the bases loaded to bring home Child.
In the sixth inning, the Trojans managed to score with two outs as Kinsley Durham singled up the middle to bring Sieber home. The freshman's run helped the Trojans pull away from the Bearcats. Both teams traded runs in the final inning and the scoreboard showed a second Trojan win.
Sieber led the Trojans as she went three-for-three and accounted for three of the Trojans' seven runs. Swygert went two-for-four with two RBI. Deer started the second game for the Trojans, giving up just two earned runs off seven hits.
The Trojans will take a three day break before they go on the road for a pair of doubleheaders on the road Saturday and Sunday. The Trojans open the weekend by visiting former conference opponent Coker, then travel to Laurinburg, N.C., for a twinbill. First-pitch is slated for 1 p.m. both days.
