SALISBURY, N.C.- The Anderson University softball team split a pair of games against South Atlantic Conference opponent Catawba winning game one, 8-0 (5 innings) while losing game two, 9-7 on Friday afternoon at Whitley Field.
NOTES
• With the split, the Trojans move to 32-14 overall and 10-8 in SAC play.
• Catawba moves to 10-36 overall while picking up its second conference win of the season (2-14).
NOTABLES
• Junior Cailah Niles went 4-for-5 on the day with a double, home run, one RBI and three runs scored. Niles is now tied the AU and SAC all-time career home run total with 47.
• Freshman Mattie Hamilton batted 3-for-5 with two doubles, a grand slam, four RBI and four runs scored in both games combined.
• Freshman Meghan Majeski singled three times while crossing the plate three times on the day for the Trojans.
• Sophomores Breanna Hagerty and Kasey Grant each recorded two hits for Anderson.
GAME 1 (5 innings)
Anderson 8, Catawba 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Anderson held Catawba scoreless for the game.
• The Trojans jumped out to a 4-0 lead after just one inning of play utilizing three hits, two walks and a wild pitch.
• The Black and Gold pushed across the final four runs in the top half of the third inning. Niles led the inning off with a single to left field, followed by a Hamilton's team-leading 14th double of the season. Senior Courtney Czentnar flew out to right followed by senior Augie Pena's three-run shot to left.
PITCHING
Senior Augie Pena (15-6) gave up just one hit while striking out five on her way to her 15th win of the season.
Catawba's Kaylee Cook (2-16) suffered the loss after giving up nine hits and walking four batters.
GAME 2
Anderson 7, Catawba 9
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Anderson struck first with one run in the top of the first inning.
• The Indians wasted no time collecting their first hit of the game tallying four in the first inning. Catawba was also able to cross the plate five times to take a 5-1 lead after one complete inning.
• Anderson cut into the lead in the third inning using Niles solo shot, a double and an error to close the gap to 5-3.
•The Trojans seemed to take control of the game scoring four more runs in the fourth inning highlighted by Hamilton's grand slam to give the Black and Gold a 7-5 lead.
• The Indians rallied for three runs of their own in their half of the fourth to claim an 8-7 lead.
• Catawba was able to add an insurance run in the sixth while holding AU scoreless over the final three frames.
PITCHING
Senior Lauren Rudesheim got the start pitching one inning. Rudesheim gave up four hits and five runs. Junior Randee Bettis (6-4) suffered the set-back pitching five inning. Bettis gave up five hits and four runs.
Catawba's Brooke Walser (8-15) pitched the complete game win giving up nine hits while striking out three.
ANDERSON STAT OF THE DAY
Niles has tied the SAC and the Anderson all-time career home run total of 47 which is held by former Trojan Abby Child.
UP NEXT
Anderson returns home to play its final regular season home game on Saturday against SAC foe Wingate. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 2 p.m.
