HICKORY, N.C. - The Anderson softball team began a six game road trip by dropping a
South Atlantic Conference doubleheader, 12-3 and 12-7, to 11th-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne Saturday afternoon at Bears Field.

Freshman Danielle Swygert blasted two home runs and drove in five RBI, while Charlotte Sieber was 2-for-6 on the afternoon, but it was not enough, as Lenoir Rhyne (32-7, 11-1 SAC) won its' six straight and 17 of its last 18 contests, while Anderson (19-18, 1-11 SAC) suffered its 11th consecutive setback.

Game #1
Lenoir-Rhyne 12, Anderson 3 (6 innings)

The Trojans went into the sixth inning down 6-0, but rallied to cut into the deficit as they scored three runs off two hits. Sophomore Kayla Hipp led off the inning by beating out an infield single to shortstop. Two outs later, Abby Child reached on a Lenoir-Rhyne infield error with Emily Monteith, who reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning scoring on the play. The error would come back to haunt the Bears when the next batter, Swygert, hit a two run blast over the wall. The freshman's ninth homerun on the season pulled the Trojans to within three runs.

The Bears used four hits and a Trojan error in the sixth and final inning to score six runs and end the game. The knock-out punch was a two-run home run from Haily Jarman that gave Lenoir-Rhyne their 30th victory on the season.

AU hurler Casey Deer (12-12) started her 24th game on the season, going 4 2/3 innings and giving up six runs. Dawon Millwood started the game for the Bears and pitched a complete game for the win.

Swygert went one-for-three and drove in two RBI.

Game #2
Lenoir-Rhyne 12, Anderson 7 (6 innings)

Lenoir-Rhyne used a nine-run third inning to fuel their 31st victory on the year. AU answered with a seven-run fourth inning to trim the LRU lead to five by recording five hits in the frame.

After Monteith walked to lead off and a Child single, Amber Duncan doubled to deep right field to score the senior. The next batter, Charlotte Sieber hit the second double of the inning to bring home Child and Duncan. The hit brought her RBI total to 21 on the season. One out later, after a Kelly McInnes RBI triple and a Cameron White, Swygert hit her second home run on the day. Her shot made the score 12-7.

The game was later suspended in the sixth inning due to inclement weather.

Alex Waldroup started the game for Anderson, going 2 2/3 innings and giving up three earned runs off seven hits. Charlotte Seiber went one-for-three with two RBI.

The Trojans will get back on the diamond on Sunday when they visit Newberry in a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader. The first game is set to kick off at 2 p.m. Anderson will face Lincoln Memorial on Tuesday when they travel to Tennessee.