ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University Softball Team (28-20, 13-11 SAC) swept its South Atlantic Conference doubleheader with Emory & Henry University (31-19, 12-12 SAC) Saturday afternoon in the regular-season finale for both squads. The Trojans won game one, 11-0, in five innings and completed the afternoon with a 6-3 win.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Anderson 11, Emory & Henry 0 (five innings)
GAME TWO – Anderson 6, Emory & Henry 3
LOCATION – Anderson, South Carolina
VENUE – AU Softball Complex
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (31-19, 12-12 SAC); Anderson (28-20, 13-11 SAC)
Game One – Anderson 11, Emory & Henry 0 (five innings)
The Trojans got out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-run double by Maddie Carpenter. Anderson pushed its lead to 4-0 after three thanks to Paige Vickery's two-bagger down the left-field line.
In the fourth, AU pushed seven across to go ahead, 11-0. A bases-loaded walk got the scoring started while Maggie Nauck notched a two-run single. Highlighting the frame was a grand slam by Kadence Barrick.
Kate Morris earned the shutout victory in the circle for the Trojans, allowing just four hits while striking out five. E&H sophomore Destiny Good (Staunton, Va.) suffered the loss, allowing nine runs on 11 hits in 3.1 innings of work.
Game Two – Anderson 6, Emory & Henry 3
AU opened the scoring in the bottom of the second as Barrick hit a RBI triple to right field. E&H answered with three runs in the top of the third as senior right fielder Danielle King (Spencer, Va.) drove in senior centerfielder Mackenzie Williams (St. Augustine, Fla.) with a double to right-center. On the next at bat, freshman catcher Hannah Booth (Longwood, Fla.) made it a 3-1 Wasp lead.
In the bottom of the third, AU closed the gap to 3-2 on a solo home run to left field by Danielle Merritt. The Trojans went ahead by a 4-3 margin thanks to a two-run double by Barrick in the bottom of the fourth. Anderson added a pair of insurance runs in the fifth when Nauck singled to right-center for what would be the final 6-3 margin.
Sarah DePaola picked up the win for the Trojans, scattering three runs on five hits and two strikeouts over four innings. Katie Morris got the three-inning save allowing two hits and one strikeout as she closed out the contest. E&H junior Malorie Reeves (Galax, Va.) suffered the loss as she permitted six runs on eight hits with two strikeouts.
Up Next
Emory & Henry awaits the announcement of the field for the South Atlantic Conference Tournament which will begin on Friday, April 25. The Wasps sit in a three-way tie for seventh place in the league standings.
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