ANDERSON, S.C. - The Anderson softball team closed out a four-game homestand by dropping a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader to Wingate by identical 1-0 scores Wednesday afternoon at Smethers Field.

Anderson hurlers Casey Deer and Alex Waldroup, along with Wingate's Allison Smith each shined for their respective teams, as they combined to allow just one run over the two games.

Anderson (19-16, 1-9 SAC) suffered its ninth consecutive setback, while Wingate improved to 25-12 and 6-6 in league play, by winning six of its' last seven outings.

Game #1
Wingate 1, Anderson 0

The Trojans continued their offensive struggles as Smith held AU hitless through the first 4 2/3 innings, retiring the first 14 Anderson batters.

Alex Waldroup started the game for the Trojans and was able to work out of a first-inning jam that stranded two Wingate base runners. After sitting down the next seven Wingate batters, Waldroup gave up a solo home run to junior Maurine Sandidge that just cleared the centerfield fence, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.

Deer entered the game in just her fourth relief spot in the fifth frame, and put down the first four Lady Bulldog batters. She fell into trouble in the sixth inning when she allowed two base runners with just one out, but the senior was able to get out of the jam with a fly out and a bang-bang throw from catcher Laura Jansky to Emily Monteith at third base on an attempted steal that turned out to be an inning-ending play.

With six outs remaining to manage a game-tying run, sophomore Kayla Hipp reached base to lead off the sixth inning. Representing the tying run, Hipp was sacrificed to second base by Charlotte Seiber during the next at-bat and one out later Abby Child drew a walk to put runners on first and second. With two outs, Smith was able to work out of the jam with a strikeout.

The Trojans again threatened in their at-bat when Amber Duncan led off the inning with a double down the left-field line. After a foul out and a pop up, Brooke Lucas moved Duncan over to third base with a single to left field. Smith recorded the final out on strikes for the second consecutive inning.

Waldroup (3-4) went four innings, giving up a run off just two hits. Deer went three innings in relief, yielding just two hits and striking out three, while walking one. Smith (16-5) pitched the complete game shutout, scattering five base hits.

Game #2
Wingate 1, Anderson 0

In the nightcap, Smith and Deer, who combined for 10 scoreless innings of work in the second game, allowed just a combined three hits through the first three innings. The fourth inning shaped up differently, as Sandidge recorded a lead-off home run, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.

Smith again pitched the complete game shutout for Wingate, allowing just one hit. Deer (12-11) was stellar for Anderson as well, allowing just one run in her complete game effort.

Sandidge, the only player in the game with multiple hits, went two-for-two as her long ball proved to be the difference-maker for the second time on the day.

The Trojans open up a six game road trip starting Saturday when they face Lenior-Rhyne in a doubleheader. The first game is set to get underway at 2 pm. Anderson will also play on Sunday when they travel to Newberry, with the first game set to start at 2 pm.