GREENEVILLE, TENN.- The Anderson University softball team split a pair of games against South Atlantic Conference opponent Tusculum winning game one, 10-0 (5 innings) while losing game two, 4-3 on Tuesday afternoon at Red Edmonds Field.
NOTES
• With the split, the Trojans move to 31-13 overall and 9-7 in SAC play.
• Tusculum moves to 23-19 overall and 7-7 in conference action.
NOTABLES
• Junior Cailah Niles went 2-for-2 with two home runs, a solo shot and a grand slam. Niles tallied five RBI on the day while being intentionally walked on five different occasions.
• Sophomore Kasey Grant batted 4-for-7 while scoring three runs for the Trojans.
• Senior Courtney Czentnar went 2-for-3 in game one with a double and a home run. Czentnar collected two RBI while crossing the plate one time for the Black and Gold.
• Senior Augie Pena, sophomores Michaela Smith and Breanna Hagerty and freshman Meghan Majeski each recorded a hit with Pena's being a blast over the left field fence.
GAME 1 (5 innings)
Anderson 10, Tusculum 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Anderson held Tusculum scoreless for the game.
• Niles led the second inning off with a solo home run to left field to claim the early 1-0 lead for the Trojans.
• The Black and Gold pushed across three more runs in the top of the third inning using four hits and a free pass.
• Anderson added six more runs in the top of the fourth inning to set the final score at 10-0. The fourth inning featured three home runs, solo shots by Czentnar and Pena highlighted by Niles grand slam to left.
PITCHING
Senior Augie Pena (14-5) stood tall in the circle pitching a 5 inning complete game. Pena gave up just two hits while striking out six.
Tusculum's Taylor Plemons (11-10) suffered the loss allowing nine hits and ten runs in 3.2 innings of work. Cayla Cecil pitched the final 1.1 innings giving up one hit and one run for the Pioneers.
GAME 2
Anderson 3, Tusculum 4
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Tusculum led 2-0 through three innings of play.
• The Black and Gold were able to cut the lead to one in the top of the fourth after a Pioneer miscue, 2-1. Niles led the inning off with an intentional walk moving to second on Hagerty's ground ball up the middle. Pena's walked loaded the bases. Pinch runner Allison Oxner scored from third on a misplayed ball by Tusculum's third baseman.
• Anderson took the lead in the top of the seventh after Grant singled with one out and Hamilton singled with two-outs to bring up Niles. The Pioneers opted to intentionally walk Niles. With two-outs Czentnar hit a ground ball to short that was misplayed scoring Grant from third and a hustling Hamilton from second. The Pioneers were able to retire Pena to end the inning.
•Junior Randee Bettis walked the first batter of the inning before being lifted in favor of Pena. Pena was able to get the first batter to fly out to center while sitting down the second batter she faced. However, Emily Hester won the battle and hit a walk-off home run to right center to claim the 4-3 victory.
PITCHING
Bettis toed the rubber for the game two start pitching six innings before being replaced by Pena. Bettis gave up seven hits and three runs. Pena (14-6) took the tough loss after pitching 0.2 after being brought in to close out game two.
Tusculum's Eliza Davis (6-4) pitched the complete game win giving up just five hits while striking out three.
ANDERSON STAT OF THE DAY
Niles two home runs pulls her within one long ball from equaling the SAC and the Anderson all-time career home run total of 47 which is held by former Trojan Abby Child.
UP NEXT
Anderson remains on the road to finish up its six-game road swing at SAC foe Catawba on Friday. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 2 p.m.
