ANDERSON, S.C. - Highlighted by a first inning grand slam, Anderson posted a pair of four-run innings but the Trojan baseball team wrapped up its season-opening three-game homestand with an 11-8 setback to UNC Pembroke as the Braves completed a series sweep Sunday afternoon at Anderson Memorial Stadium.

UNC Pembroke (3-0) took an early 1-0 lead on senior first baseman Eitan Maoz's two-out opposite-field home run that sliced just over the wall in right field, but Anderson (0-3) answered by sending seven batters to the plate and scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Following back-to-back singles by freshman Brett Cash and senior Thomas Padro and a walk by senior Blake May to open the Trojans' first inning, senior Erick Sanderson blasted a shot over the wall for his first home run of the season and his 15th career round-tripper.

UNC Pembroke threatened by getting two runners on with one out in the top of the second, but Sanderson settled down to record back-to-back strikeouts to retire the Braves with no runs crossing the plate.

The Trojans also threatened in the second after senior catcher Brett Scarberry led off by notching the first of his two hits on the afternoon by lacing a single back up the middle. He moved into scoring position on a wild pitch and Jonathan Romano's sacrifice bunt got Scarberry to third, but he was stranded there as AU was unable to capitalize.

The Braves regained a brief 6-4 lead with five runs in the top of the fourth inning as UNCP batted around, taking advantage of a pair of Trojan errors in the field.

But the Trojans answered quickly by batting around, posting four runs in the bottom of the frame to regain an 8-6 lead. Junior Tony Price led off the inning with a single and moved to third when Scarberry doubled off the wall in left-center. Romano loaded the bases when he was hit by a pitch and Padro's second single of the game with one out brought home a run, while leaving the bases full. May recorded two RBI on a single down the left-field line and Padro later crossed the plate for the second time of the game with two out to give AU the two-run edge.

But the Braves countered with three runs in the fifth and a pair of scores in the six to gain a lead they would not relinquish as the Trojans went down in order in each of the four final innings.

Sanderson suffered the setback, working 4 2/3 of an inning in relief and giving up nine runs. Freshman Hayden Crompton and senior Riley McDermott combined to work 3 2/3 innings, while surrendering a pair of singles.

Senior Brantley Hattrich earned the win in relief, with Braxton Lewis garnering his second save in two days.

Padro finished with two hits and scored a pair of runs, while Scarberry was 2-for-4 with a double.

The Trojans will look to break into the win column when they visit Southern Wesleyan on Tuesday, with game time scheduled for 3 p.m. in Central.