Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
ANDERSON, S.C. - Highlighted by four home runs in the opening
game of the doubleheader, Anderson University baseball dropped both
games of the twin bill to Peach Belt Conference opponent UNC
Pembroke 14-11 and 3-0 Saturday at Anderson Memorial Stadium.
After the Trojans pounded out 14 hits for 11 runs in the opening
matchup, the Braves matched the AU attack with 16 hits for 14 runs.
In the second game, the Trojan bats were cold, tallying just four
hits for the seven-inning game.
Leading the way offensively was sophomore middle infielder Kyle
Bailey with four hits on the day, beginning with a 3-for-4
performance with a home run and three runs scored in the first
game. Bailey followed the three-hit game with one of AU's four hits
for the second half of the night.
Sophomore transfer Garrett Bernardo joined Bailey as the only
other Trojan with hits in both games, beginning with a home run in
the first game, followed by a two-hit performance in Game Two.
Bernardo's day was headlined by a ninth inning three-run home run
for his first round-tripper in the Black and Gold.
Fellow transfer LJ Newman, who started Game 1 behind the plate,
also posted his first home run in an Anderson uniform in Game One,
as the Greer, S.C. native went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs
scored to join Bailey as two Trojans with three hits.
Also posting multiple hits for the afternoon was sophomore first
baseman Steven Cooper and senior outfielder Josh Hickman as the duo
both posted 2-for-5 afternoons in the opening game. The tandem
combined for three runs and two RBI for the game.
In Game Two, senior Thomas Goodman tossed six scoreless innings
before running into trouble in the seventh inning. Goodman finished
the night giving up just three hits and tallying three
strikeouts.
UNCP's bottom half of its lineup produced as hitters 6-thru-9
were 12-for-27 (.444) with nine runs scored and 12 RBI. Left
fielder Victor Zecca headlined the bunch with three hits, four RBI
and two runs scored as his day began with a two-run home run in the
top of the second inning.
Goodman's counterpart in Game Two, Garrett Hickman, earned the
complete game shutout, going seven innings and giving up just four
hits with five strikeouts.
"Pembroke is a good team," Anderson head coach Joe Miller said.
"I liked our effort tonight and the way we hit the ball. It always
hurts scoring 11 runs and lose, but we'll look for a win
tomorrow."
UNC Pembroke's manager, Paul O'Neil earned his 500th victory
with the 3-0 win in the second game on the day. O'Neil became one
of 41 coaches to claim 500 or more victories at the Division II
level.
Anderson returns to Memorial Stadium for the final game of the
three-game set with the Braves on Sunday. First pitch is slated for
1 p.m.