ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The Anderson softball team continued its eight-game road swing by sweeping NCAA Division I South Carolina State, 4-0 and 3-0, Thursday afternoon at Lady Bulldog Field.
Anderson capitalized on six extra-base hits, including a pair of home runs in the opener, as the Trojans improved to 19-3 on the season and stretched its win streak to four, while South Carolina State (8-9) has dropped six straight decisions.
Game #1
Anderson 4, South Carolina State 0
Junior Danielle Swygert was 2-for-3 with two RBI and scored a run, while junior hurler Lauren Bell added a two-run home run with one out in the fourth inning. Sophomore Bri Cason and Samantha Young each added a double in three at-bats.
Bell (11-1) one-hit the Lady Bulldogs, surrendering just a sixth-inning single with two outs, while notching her 11th complete game of the season and recorded her third shutout of the season. Only two Lady Bulldogs reached scoring position, as Bell struck out 11 and walked two.
Sophomore Jessica Neidigh led off the game with a double to left field and gave the Trojans an early 1-0 lead, as she crossed the plate on Swygert’s two-out single to left.
Anderson added a pair of insurance runs in the fourth when Laura Jansky drew a lead-off walk and scored on Bell’s second homer of the season with one out.
Swygert’s second home run of the season in the sixth inning gave the Trojans a four-run advantage.
Game #2
Anderson 3, South Carolina State 0
Cason was a perfect 2-for-2 in the nightcap, with a pair of singles, while junior Bailey Smith also posted two singles in three trips to the plate. Swygert added a walk and a two-run double in the seventh.
Smith surrendered just two hits as she notched her sixth complete-game shutout, while striking out 10 and not walking a batter.
The Trojan offense gave Smith all the support she needed with a solo run in the top of the second inning, as Bell drew a one-out walk, moved to second on Smith’s single and went to third when Rachel Rhodes bounced into a fielder‘s choice. Bell scored when Cason singled to left.
AU posted two insurance runs in the final inning when pinch-hitter Stephanie Hanvey led off with a single to center field and two outs later Abby Child also ripped a single to center. Both runners crossed the plate on Swygert’s fifth double of the season to left field.
Anderson, selected to finish second in the South Atlantic Conference, visits preseason favorite Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday, with first-pitch slated for 2 p.m. in Hickory, N.C.