ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University softball team pounded out 18 hits, including four doubles and three home runs, to open a four-game homestand by shutting out visiting Lees-McRae, 8-0 and 8-0, on Sunday afternoon at Smethers Field.
Anderson improved to 4-0 on the season with its second doubleheader sweep in as many days, while Lees-McRae fell to 0-4 on the season.
Game #1
Anderson 8, Lees-McRae 0 (5 innings)
Preseason All-South Atlantic Conference second baseman Jessica Neidigh was 1-for-3 with a three-run home run, while junior catcher Laura Jansky recorded a single and a double in three at-bats and also drove in a run. Sophomore Rebecca Martin was 2-for-3, with a pair of singles and crossed the plate once and recorded an RBI, while newcomer Samantha Young ripped a solo home run in two plate appearances. Sophomore third-baseman Bri Cason added a second-inning single and scored a run.
After a scoreless first inning, Young gave Trojan hurler Bailey Smith all the support she would need, as her second-inning solo blast easily cleared the scoreboard beyond the centerfield fence. Neidigh later followed with a one-out three-run shot over the right-field fence that plated both Martin and Cason to give Anderson a 4-0 lead.
The Trojans added an unearned run in the fourth and three in the fifth to post the run-rule win. Swygert led off the decisive fifth with a walk and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. She crossed the plate on Jansky’s double to left and Young followed with a single. Bailey Smith and Martin added back-to-back singles to score Jansky and Young, respectively, with the final runs.
The right-handed Smith earned the one-hit shutout win, surrendering just a two-out single to Bobcat lead-off hitter Kierstie Moon in the third inning. Smith struck out six and walked just one in five innings of work, while Lees-McRae’s Kristen Oakes suffered the loss. She gave up eight runs off 11 hits and walked three in four innings of work.
Game #2
Anderson 8, Lees-McRae 0 (5 innings)
Junior shortstop Abby Child was a perfect 2-for-2 in the nightcap, while scoring once and adding an RBI. Freshman outfielder Molly Child blasted a solo homer in the fourth inning and crossed the plate twice, while Neidigh added a double and a walk and scored twice. Cason and Danielle Swygert each posted a single and scored.
The Trojans posted a four-run first inning, as Neidigh and Molly Child opened the home half of the first inning with back-to-back walks, Abby Child doubled to score Neidigh from second and Swygert delivered a two-run single.
Anderson added three runs in the second inning and junior Charlotte Sieber recorded the game-deciding home run to center with one out in the fifth.
Bell struck out four and walked two in the two-hit victory, while earning her second win in two days. Bobcat hurler Hollie Crickenberger took the loss, surrendering eight earned runs, while striking out three and walking two.
Anderson will get back on the diamond Wednesday, when the Trojans play host to Southern Wesleyan. First-pitch at Smethers Field is slated for 4 p.m.