NEWBERRY, S.C. - Despite a combined five hits from juniors LJ Newman and Steven Cooper in the middle of the Trojan lineup, Anderson University baseball's ninth-inning rally fell short, as it dropped to in-state rival Newberry, 7-6, in a rare nonconference matchup on Tuesday evening at the Smith Road Complex.

The setback drops the Trojans to an even 14-14 record on the season, as they suffered their fourth loss to the Wolves this season. Newberry, which hosted AU in a South Atlantic Conference in early February, improves to 17-14 for the year.

Newman paced the club with a 3-for-5 performance at the plate, headlined by a lead-off double in the seventh inning for his 13th two-bagger on the season. First baseman, Cooper, posted a pair of hits, including his fourth double of the season coming in the ninth inning to lead off the frame.

Also tallying two RBI on the evening was freshman third baseman Tyler Miller and designated hitter Travis Smith, as Smith's day was highlighted by a solo home run to lead off the top of the sixth inning. Smith sent the first pitch he saw in the inning and sent it over the left-field wall, as the Trojans eventually crossed three runs for the inning due to Miller's two-run single.

Eight of the nine AU batters tallied at least one hit on the day, as senior shortstop Brett Cash also totaled two RBI for the evening with a run-scoring single in the first and began AU's late rally in the ninth by scoring Cooper after the first baseman's double. Cash, who represented the tying run, eventually landed on third, but was unable to come home after Daniel Nations shut the door on AU with a three-inning save.

After Newberry scored six runs through the first four innings, AU relievers JT Trujillo, Chris Ayers and Mitchell Cooksey held the Wolves to just one run through the final four innings to keep the Trojans in contention.

Leading the Wolves was outfielder Wesley Camp with four hits, including a triple, while teammates JoJo Bradley and Brandan Sheridan added two hits apiece. Designated hitter Nolan Schrenker matched Smith with his fourth homer of the season in the seventh inning, which would eventually represent the game-winning run.

Anderson looks to get back into the win column on Thursday when it heads to North Greenville for a nonconference game. First pitch from Tigerville is scheduled for 4 p.m.