ANDERSON, S.C. – The 2022 version of Anderson University softball (16-2) eclipsed the previous program best win streak best of 15 straight victories, accomplished by the 2011-2012 team, defeating nonconference opponent Georgia College (8-10) in game one, 11-0 (5), to win its 16th straight contest before dropping the night cap, 8-6, on Friday evening at the AU Softball Complex.
"Real disappointing and I hate it for our players, because they were in it the entire game," said head coach Tommy Hewitt. "This is a good team and they go about their business the right way. "One of life's lessons ". We will bounce back quickly."
The Trojans drilled six doubles in game one, to help lead Anderson to an 11-0 (5 inning) victory. Overall, the Black and Gold outhit the Bobcats 13-2 with the entire lineup producing positive at-bats to contribute to the 16th straight victory.
Seniors Jessica Neadow, Gracie Williams and Sydney Belcher each with a multi-hit game, including a double apiece. Freshman Maddie Carpenter went 3-for-4 with two doubles and four RBI. Junior Hope Gullatt batted 1-for-2 with one of the six team doubles in game one.
Sophomore Laken Maxwell (10-0) pitched all five innings, giving up just two hits and striking out 11. Maxwell leads the South Atlantic Conference in both wins and total strikeouts.
Anderson got down early in game two, 5-1, before mounting a comeback that eventually ended in an 8-6 loss.
The Trojans scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the lead, 6-5. Belcher's single to right field drove in two runs, while Williams double scored a pair of runs with Neadow driving in Williams to cap off the five run inning.
After a scoreless fifth and sixth inning by both teams, Georgia College scored two runs in its top-half of the seventh inning and was able to hold AU off in its final three outs to take game two.
Senior Harlie Duncan got the nod in game two, pitching 0.2 innings before being lifted in favor of Maxwell. Maxwell (10-1) suffered her first loss of the season after pitching 6.1 innings.
Anderson returns to action on Sunday when it host nonconference opponent Clark Atlanta. First-pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 pm.
