ANDERSON, S.C. - Despite being out-hit on the afternoon, the Anderson softball team earned a split of a nonconference doubleheader, defeating Georgia College, 7-5, in the opener and dropping a 7-3 decision in the nightcap, Saturday afternoon at Smethers Field.

"We have no complaints and no excuses," said Anderson head coach Tommy Hewitt. "[Georgia College] was a scrappy team. We just have to dust ourselves off and get ready to play tomorrow."

Anderson moved to 11-1 on the season, while Georgia College ended the day with an 8-4 overall record.

Game #1
Anderson 7, Georgia College 5
Sophomore center fielder Molly Child was 2-for-3 in the opener, with a single, double and a walk in four trips to the plate. Senior first baseman Danielle Swygert finished the contest 2-for-4 with a single and a two-run double in the first inning and finished with three RBI. Shortstop Abby Child ripped her third home run in as many games, going 1-for-2, with a pair of walks and scoring twice. Second baseman Jessica Neidigh blasted her second homer of the season over the center-field fence to lead off the second inning.

Junior pitcher Katelynn Howser improved to 4-0 by tossing four innings, while surrendering three earned runs on six hits. The right-hander struck out four and walked just one. Freshman Lauren Rudesheim earned her first collegiate save by going three full innings of relief and allowing two runs (one earned) off three hits, while striking out four and walking two.

Anderson erupted for four runs in the bottom of the first, while sending eight batters to the plate. After Molly Child and Abby Child reached base with a one-out single and walk, respectively, Swygert brought both home with her first double of the season to left field. Three batters later, junior Bri Cason lifted a fly ball to left that the Bobcats were unable to corral, plating both Swygert and Courtney Czentnar, who earlier singled to right.

Neidigh boosted the AU lead to 5-0 with her solo shot over the center-field fence with one out in the bottom of the second inning.

Georgia College countered with three runs in the top of the third frame, as the Bobcats capitalized on four singles and a two-run home run off the bat of sophomore Kristen Brooks.

Molly Child responded for the Trojans, as she drew a one-out walk and scored an unearned run on another Bobcat miscue to give Anderson a 6-3 lead after four innings.

Georgia College climbed within 6-4 with a run in the sixth, but AU got the run back on Abby Child's drive over the left-center field fence. The Bobcats added another solo run in the top of the seventh and had the tying run at the plate with two out, but Rudesheim ended the game with her fourth strikeout of the contest.

Game #2
Georgia College 7 Anderson 3
Junior Rebecca Martin was 2-for-3 in the nightcap, with a pair of doubles, while Molly Child was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI and scored twice. The sophomore lifted her first home run of the season over the center-field fence in the sixth inning.

Freshman right-handed hurler Augie Pena (2-1) suffered her first setback of the season after allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits, while striking out seven Bobcats and not issuing a walk in 5 2/3 innings of work. Rudesheim tossed the final 1 1/3 frames and did not allow a hit, while striking out one.

The nightcap was a pitchers' duel through 3 ½ innings, as Bobcat hurler Carly Lewis did not allow a hit for three innings, while Pena held Georgia College hitless for four full innings.

Anderson struck first, with two runs in the fourth, but the Bobcats evened the score with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth frame and erupted for five additional runs in the sixth to take a 7-2 lead. Molly Child answered with her leadoff homer in the bottom of the sixth, and the Trojans threatened in their final at-bat but would not get any closer.
AU will get back on the diamond quickly, as the Trojans welcome Conference Carolinas' opponent Limestone to Smethers Field for a 2 p.m. doubleheader on Sunday.