HARROGATE, Tenn. - The Anderson University softball team rallied for an 8-5 win in extra innings over Lincoln Memorial in the opener of a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader, but was unable to replicate the feat in the nightcap, falling 6-4, Tuesday afternoon at Neely Field.

Senior Jessica Neidigh homered twice to lead Anderson offensively, as the Trojans rallied from a late two-run deficit in the opener to claim their second extra-inning victory of the season, but AU stranded 18 runners on the day - nine in each contest - to move to 23-7 overall and 6-2 in the conference. Lincoln Memorial moved to 11-13 overall and 3-3 in league play.

Game #1
Anderson 8, Lincoln Memorial 5 (8 innings)
Neidigh, who has hammered a career-high nine round-trippers on the season, belted a two-run shot in the top of the seventh inning to tie the score and ripped another two-run homer as part of a six-run outburst in the eighth inning. Freshman Carli Hurtado was 2-for-3, with a walk, a single and a two-run double, while senior Rebecca Martin also added a two-run double in the eighth inning. Sophomore Courtney Czentnar added a single and was intentionally walked to load the bases in the extra frame.

Freshman Chelsea Jones (8-2) went the distance in the circle for the Trojans, allowing five runs (four earned) off nine hits over the eight innings, while striking out five and issuing just one free pass.

The opener was a pitcher's duel through the majority of the contest, as the Trojans managed just two hits through five innings, while the Lady Railsplitters collected three hits through the first four frames.

The Trojans threatened in the top of the first, as Neidigh led off the game by getting hit by a pitch and Child followed with a walk. Both runners moved up a base when Niles grounded out to second, but the Trojans were unable to capitalize as both runners were stranded.

Lincoln Memorial's Emilee Solomon doubled with one out in the bottom of the first, but Jones worked out of the jam by striking out Amanda Snow and inducing Meredith Johnson to fly out to Child in center field. The Lady 'Splitters got their leadoff runner on in the bottom of the second inning, but Jones again escaped unharmed when the AU defense turned a double play and the right-hander fanned Megan Tice to end the inning.

LMU took advantage of two doubles - one to lead off the home fifth inning and one with two outs - to capture a 1-0 lead after five innings. The Trojans threatened to answer in the top of the sixth, as Niles and Jones reached base with one, but AU was unable to take advantage. The Lady Railsplitters' Amanda Snow then boosted LMU's advantage to 2-0 with a one-out solo home run to center field.

With one out in the top of the seventh, Hurtado drew a walk and Neidigh went the opposite way for a two-run homer to knot the score for the first time of the afternoon.

LMU's Ashlea Hunter led off bottom of the seventh with a single and tried to move into scoring position but was thrown out trying to swipe second with one out. Kristen McAndrew walked with two out but Jones eliminated the threat with a fly ball to Child in center field.

The Trojan bats woke up in the extra frame, as AU posted four of their 10 hits in the eighth inning, including three for extra bases. Anderson loaded the bases with no outs and Martin pulled a double down the left-field line to plate both Jones and senior Bri Cason. Two batters later, Hurtado laced a double to left-center to bring home both Czentnar and Martin to give AU a 6-3 advantage. Neidigh closed out AU's run production with her second homer in as many innings.

LMU's Amanda Snow countered with a one-out three-run homer in the bottom of the inning, but the Lady 'Splitters would get no closer.

Game #2
Lincoln Memorial 6, Anderson 4
Neidigh extended her hitting streak to 10 games with an infield single in the second game of the day. Child was 2-for-3 in the nightcap, with a pair of singles and was also hit by a pitch, while driving in two runs. Czentnar added a run-scoring single in the first inning and singled in the seventh, while stretching her hitting streak to eight games. Freshman Rachael Barefield posted a walk and an infield single, with fellow freshman Cailah Niles chipping in a single and a walk and crossed the plate once.

Sophomore Lauren Rudesheim (8-4) took the loss after surrendering six earned runs on eight hits over five innings of work. Jones allowed one hit while tossing an inning of relief.

Anderson quickly jumped out on top with two runs in the first inning by taking advantage of four base hits, highlighted by Jones' run-scoring single and Czentnar's RBI-double.

The Trojans added two more runs in the fourth inning when Child singled to left-center to bring home Martin and Barefield, but it wasn't enough, as LMU countered with a pair of three-run innings.

Looking to rally for the second time of the day, the Trojans managed to get the tying run at first with no outs, but were unable to close the gap on the Lady Railsplitters.

Anderson is scheduled to return to the diamond on Saturday, when Wingate invades Smethers Field for a 2 p.m. South Atlantic Conference matchup.