ANDERSON, S.C.-Solid pitching and timely hitting propelled the Anderson University softball team to a sweep of a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader with Coker, Saturday afternoon at the AU Softball Complex.
Anderson (20-6, 2-0 SAC) defeated Coker (19-7, 0-2 SAC) in a 10 innings thriller that ended with AU winning, 3-2, in game one while shutting out the Cobras, 2-0, in the nightcap to claim the doubleheader sweep.
The Trojans have won their last six outings and improved to 16-2 at home on the season, while Coker has suffered setbacks in its last 4-of-5 outings.
GAME #1
Anderson 3, Coker 2
INSIDE THE BOX
Anderson was limited to four hits with junior Breanna Hagerty, sophomores Mattie Hamilton and Meghan Majeski and senior Cailah Niles claiming a hit apiece.
Anderson freshman Harlie Duncan (9-1) pitched a phenomenal game working out of a couple of tough spots in the late innings to earn her ninth win of the season. Duncan pitched all 10 innings giving up just five hits.
Coker's Christine Carver (11-4) suffered loss after pitching 9.0 innings giving up just three hits while striking out 10. Nikki Linthicum came in relief with the bases loaded in the 10 innings walking in one run while giving up the two RBI single to end the game for the Trojans.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both the Trojans and the Cobras played stellar defense while playing behind solid pitching. The game remained scoreless until the 10th inning.
Coker's Madison King was placed on second due to the international tie-break rule. Junior Maria Williamson ripped a two-run home run to left center to give the Cobras the 2-0 lead. After retiring the next batter, Coker used a single down the left field line and a walk to threaten again. Anderson left fielder Abi Webb came up huge on a short ball that she caught and came up firing to double-off the runner at second to end the inning.
The Trojans placed sophomore Ali Anderson on second with Anderson advancing to third on a wild pitch. Carver walked the next two batters to load the bases. Coker's Linthicum walked Majeski to give the Black and Gold their first run of the game. AU's Niles ripped a ball to right center to drive in two-runs with the second being the game-winner.
GAME # 2
Anderson 2, Coker 0
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Leading the Trojans at the plate in game two was Hagerty (2-for3) and Niles (1-for-2). Hagerty also scored both of Anderson's runs.
Anderson freshman Kayla Pepper (6-3) pitched a seven inning complete game giving up just two hits while striking out eight.
Coker's Taylor Forehand (2-1) took the loss after giving up five hits. Forehand walked two while striking out five in her first loss of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Anderson scored in the bottom of the second on a single by Hagerty moving to second on Hamilton infield out to the pitcher, followed by Anderson's single up the middle.
The Black and Gold played the next three innings scoreless until adding an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Hagerty led off with a double moving to third on a wild pitch. Senior Rachael Barefield hit a ball to second that was misplayed allowing Hagerty to cross the plate for the second time of the game.
UP NEXT
Anderson travels to SAC opponent Carson-Newman on Tuesday. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m.
