ANDERSON, S.C. – Anderson University softball swept South Atlantic Conference preseason favorite Lincoln Memorial winning game one, 10-9 (8 innings), while winning the nightcap, 11-5, on Wednesday afternoon at the AU Softball Complex.
With the wins, Anderson improves to 12-4 overall and 2-0 winning its ninth game in a row. The Railspitters drop to 11-3 overall and 0-2 in conference action.
GAME 1 Anderson 10 Lincoln Memorial 9 (8 innings)
Junior Kennedy Burton went 2-for-3 scoring two runs while sophomore Kayson Boatner went 2-for-4 crossing the plate twice and drilling a three-run home run.
In a back and forth contest, the Trojans and Railsplitters were knotted up at four apiece before LMU scored two in the top half of the fifth. After a scoreless bottom half and holding the Railsplitters in the top of the sixth, Anderson exploded for five runs highlighted by Boatner's home run to give the Black and Gold a, 9-6, lead.
LMU responded in the top of the seventh with three runs to tie the game at nine apiece. Anderson was sat down in order to force extra play.
The Trojans held LMU to zero runs in the top of the eight leaving the placed runner at third. Anderson freshman Joli Rush pitched ran for freshman Hope Gullatt. Burton sacrificed Rush to third while Majeski's ball hit back up the middle was misplayed by the pitcher to score Rush and end the game.
AU's Kayla Pepper (6-2) was credited with the win pitching all eight innings.
GAME 2 Anderson 11 Lincoln Memorial 5
Anderson scored all 11 runs in the first four innings of play outhitting the Railsplitters 12-9. Sophomore Morgan Charter and Gracie Williams, Gullatt and Boatner had the hot bats for the Black and Gold. Charter went 3-for-4 while Williams and Gullatt each batted 2-for-2. Charter, Gullatt and Boatner each homered.
Junior Sarah Middleton (4-2) won her fourth game of the season. Middleton gave up nine hits while striking out eight.
"From the time the first ball was pitched to the last ball caught in the second game they knew we were going to win both games", emphasized head coach Tommy Hewitt.
UP NEXT
Anderson remains at home to welcome nonconference opponent Lees-McRae. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 1pm.
