ANDERSON, S.C. – On a blustery February afternoon, Anderson University softball (10-0) combined for 25 hits to help the Trojans sweep nonconference opponent Southern Wesleyan (2-6), winning game one, 9-0(6), and hanging on for the victory in game two, 8-6, on Saturday afternoon at the AU Softball Complex.
After relieving Laken Maxwell following the first inning, freshman Carson Hobbs (4-0) pitched five-innings. Hobbs gave up just one hit and struck out four batters.
The Trojans eventually gave Hobbs plenty of run support to claim their ninth win in a row.
Anderson scored two runs in the bottom of the first and tacked on three more in the fifth and four more in the sixth inning, while holding Southern Wesleyan scoreless. Maxwell and Hobbs only allowed two hits apiece in the six-inning shutout.
Sophomore Madison McDonald, senior Kayson Boatner and junior Hannah Whitaker led the way at the plate, picking up at least two hits. McDonald went a perfect 3-for-3, while Boatner and Whitaker each went 2-for-3.
In game two, Southern Wesleyan scored a solo run in the top of the first and added two more runs in the top of the third to hold a 3-0 advantage over the Trojans.
Following freshman Ava Worthy's single and an error, Boatner's infield ground ball scored Worthy from third to give the Trojans their first run of the game. Just when it seemed like SWU had the game under control, Anderson busted out for a seven run, seven hit fourth inning to propel them ahead, 8-3.
SWU would rally in the top half of the seventh inning scoring three runs on three hits and stranding two runners.
Junior Lane Edgington (3-0) grinded out her third win of the season after giving up eight hits and walking three batters. Edgington was able to end the game with a strikeout to help the Trojans move to 10-0 on the season.
McDonald and Whitaker stayed hot at the plate, collecting two more hits on the day. Worthy went 2-for-2 in her first game back following an injury, while senior Olivia Rose Wheeler went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Anderson returns to action on Thursday when it travels to Augusta. First-pitch of the doubleheader is slated for noon.
