ANDERSON, S.C. - The Anderson University softball team opened up its season splitting with Lees-McRae on Sunday, taking the first game 9-1 and dropping the second game 1-0. Cailah Niles paced the Trojans in the first game with her game-high four RBI. The second game proved to be more of a defensive match-up as Lees McRae junior Charlie Dutton tossed a 1-0 complete game.

Game #1
Anderson 9, Lees McRae 1
Anderson pitcher Augie Pena set the tone for the opening game at the Trojans new facility. Pena (1-0), coming off of a season ending injury in 2015, struck out the first three batters she faced. The Trojan hurler gave up five hits while striking out six in four inning of play.

The Trojans didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard. In the bottom of the first, sophomore Carli Hurtado led the charge reaching base on a walk then stealing second. Molly Child recorded the first out of the inning, while Niles moved Hurtado over on a deep sacrifice fly to center field. Junior Courtney Czentnar drew a two out walk setting up freshman Madison Bivins to record both her first colligate hit and RBI. Helping her own cause, Pena then ripped a two out double to center field to give the Trojans an early 3-0 lead.

After scoring three in the first inning and one in the second inning, Anderson would explode for five runs in the third highlighted by a three run home run by Niles.

Center fielder Child collected two hits on three plate appearances and drove in two RBI in the Black and Gold's 2016 debut. Freshman Michaela Smith also recorded her first colligate hit as a Trojan.

Game #2
Lees McRae 1, Anderson 0
Led by pitcher Charlie Dutton, Lees McRae was able to pick up the 1-0 shut out win in what turned out to be a defensive game.

In the top of the first, lead-off batter Sarah Stallings reached on a throwing error. Kara Cunningham followed with a single down the right field line advancing Stallings to third. With runners on the corners, Cunningham stole second base with Stallings advancing home on the throw, scoring what turned out to be the winning run.

Anderson responded in the bottom half of the inning with a lead-off hit by Hurtado eventually reaching third base on two fielder choices. However, the Trojans left her stranded at third when Czentnar was called out stealing second.

The Trojans began a rally in the bottom of the sixth with a lead-off single by Child. Niles then reached on a fielder's choice and Child reached second on a error. Czentnar moved the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt. Dutton was able to strikeout the next batter and then perserving the game with a fly-out to center field.

Lauren Rudesheim (0-1) made her season debut striking out seven while giving up only three hits.

Pitcher Randee Bettis saw action in both games in a relief roll. Between the two games, Bettis struck out two, giving up two hits in four inning of play.

Anderson returns to action at home Thursday versus Southern Wesleyan. The first pitch is slated for 2 p.m.