WISE, VA. – Anderson University softball (17-3, 1-1 SAC) dropped a heart wrenching, 3-2, game one while winning game two, 12-1(5) at South Atlantic Conference opponent UVA Wise (7-3, 1-1 SAC) on Thursday afternoon at Cavalier Field.
"The game one loss could be one of those that comes back to haunt us when it comes to regional rankings, said head coach Tommy Hewitt. "We out hit them 5 to 3 however we left 8 runners on base and didn't execute at the plate, with several opportunities, chasing to many balls out of the zone."
" Laken pitched well enough to win and Harlie had a very good outing," added Hewitt.
The Trojans carried a narrow, 2-1, lead into the bottom of the seventh inning before UVA Wise's Jenna McDermott hit a 2-run walk-off to win game one.
Anderson's Hannah Whitaker picked up two of AU's five hits. Whitaker was also credited with an RBI.
Sophomore Laken Maxwell (10-2) pitched 6.2 innings, giving up just three hits in the set-back. Maxwell also recorded 10 strikeouts.
In game two, Anderson exploded with 12 runs, using 15 hits to win, 12-1 in five innings of play. The Black and Gold scored one in the first, three in the fourth and eight runs in the fifth.
Senior Sydney Belcher went 3-for-3 with two RBI, while leadoff hitter Jessica Neadow batted 2-for-4 with two home runs and five RBI. Whitaker added two more hits to her day, including a double with senior Kayson Boatner batting 2-for-4 with a double. Junior Hope Gullatt and senior Gracie Williams each picked up two hits for AU.
Senior Harlie Duncan (6-1) enjoyed the run support, pitching a five inning, three-hit complete game.
Anderson returns to action on Wednesday when it travels to SAC opponent Mars Hill. First-pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for Noon.
