ANDERSON, S.C. – Junior William Thomas' two-RBI single in the eighth inning proved to be the game-winning hit and junior right-hander Andrew Dill allowed just three hits in seven innings, as the Anderson University baseball team opened a three-game South Atlantic Conference series with a dramatic, 5-3, win over Mars Hill, Friday night at Memorial Stadium.

Anderson improved to 7-18 overall and 3-7 in conference action with its second win in three outings, while Mars Hill (13-13, 3-4 SAC) suffered its second straight loss.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
The top of the batting order provided the offense for the Trojans, with the first for hitters in the lineup posting all eight hits. Thomas was 2-for-4 at the plate, with a pair of singles and three RBI on the night. Freshman Dillon Carpenter added a first-inning single and drilled his team-leading fourth home run of the season – a two-run shot – in the third inning. Junior Tyler Miller notched a pair of singles in four at-bats and scored both times, while freshman Avery Green was 2-for-4 at the plate, with two singles.

In his first start of the season, Dill tossed seven complete innings, while surrendering just three singles and fanning nine Lions. The Hilton Head Island, S.C., native issued two walks and allowed just three runners to reach scoring position. Senior Evan Small (1-0) captured the win with two innings of scoreless relief, while striking out five and not issuing a walk.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Miller led off the bottom of the third inning by beating out a bunt down the third-base line and went to second on a balk. He was moved to third when Green fouled out to Mars Hill catcher Christian Stampler, who slid into the Trojan dugout while making the catch. Thomas followed by beating out an infield single, with Miller crossing the plate with AU's first run. Carpenter then belted a line-drive home run just over the wall in right to give the Black and Gold a 3-0 lead.

The three-run advantage held until the top of the eighth inning, when the Lions rallied to knot the score at three apiece. But the Trojans answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame, when Miller and Green started the comeback with back-to-back singles and both crossed the plate on Thomas' single back up the middle.

Mars Hill managed to get the tying run to the plate with one out in the top of the ninth, but Small posted back-to-back strikeouts to end the game.

ANDERSON STAT OF THE NIGHT
The victory marked AU's second straight conference win.

NOTABLES
• The nine strikeouts recorded by Dill were the most by a Trojan pitcher this season.
• The 14 combined K's by Dill and Small marked the most in a game this season.
• Thomas leads the Trojans with 12 multiple-hit games on the season.
• Miller has nine multi-hit games on the season.
• Miller extended his hitting streak to nine games.

UP NEXT
The Trojans and Lions are slated to wrap up their three-game series with a Saturday afternoon doubleheader. First-pitch at Memorial Stadium is set for 1 p.m.