ANDERSON, S.C. - Despite giving up a combined four home runs on the day, Anderson University softball used its 17 hits to counter the long ball, defeating South Atlantic Conference opponent Lincoln Memorial, 4-3 and 3-2, Wednesday afternoon at the AU Softball Complex.

The Trojans improve to 23-7 overall and 3-1 in SAC play while the Lady Railspitters fall to 13-18 overall and 1-3 in conference action.

Game #1
Anderson 4, Lincoln Memorial 3
The Trojans got on the board first taking advantage of a walk and back to back singles to go ahead 1-0 after one inning of play.

Senior Molly Child drew a one out walk advancing to third on a single to right center field. Freshman Madison Bivins followed with a single up the middle to score Child from third.

Anderson would put another run on the board in the bottom half of the third inning when Child crossed the plate for the second time in the game. Child led the inning off with a single to right field with Niles ripping a RBI double to left field to put the Black and Gold up 2-0.

The Lady Railspitters put together back to back doubles in the top of the fourth to bring in their first run of the day. Anderson's Rachael Barefield answered back in the bottom half of the inning with a home run to left field pushing the Trojans lead to 3-1.

Lincoln Memorial's Brianna Taylor hit a solo shot in the top of the fifth to draw the Lady Railsplitters to within one. Lincoln Memorial held Anderson scoreless in the fifth and the Trojans returned to the favor in the top half of the sixth inning.

Anderson added and insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when freshman Kasey Grant led off with a double to left field. Grant moved over on a ground ball to the right side by Barefield setting up freshman Michaela Smith's RBI single to score Grant giving the Trojans a 4-2 lead.

The Lady Railspitters would not go away quietly, drilling their second home run of the game. The solo shot by B. Burchette gave Lincoln Memorial new life in the top of the seventh. Junior Lauren Rudesheim was called in relief shutting down LMU to earn her second save of the year.

Leading the Trojans at the plate was sophomore Cailah Niles going 3-for-3 with a double, two singles and an RBI. Grant went 2-for-3 while scoring a run for the Black and Gold.

Anderson's Augie Pena posted her eighth win of the season, giving up five hits and striking out six.

Game #2
Anderson 3, Lincoln Memorial 2
The Lady Railspitters hit two solo home runs to set their final total for game two. Despite those two hiccups, Anderson's Randee Bettis pitched a solid ball game allowing just four hits while striking out six. With the win, Bettis improves to 5-1 on the year. Rudesheim picked up her third save of the year pitching one inning in relief for the Trojans.

Anderson scored all three of its runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Child led off with a double to left center followed by a walk issued to Niles. Child moved to third on a foul out to the second baseman while scoring on the error on Grants hit ball to third base. Pena then ripped a one out double scoring Niles and Grant to give the Trojans a 3-1 lead.

The Lady Railspitters hit their fourth home run of the day in the top of the seventh setting up another save opportunity for Rudesheim. The native of Columbus, Ga. was able to stop the threat and earn her third save of the year and second of the day.

Niles led the Trojans at the plate in game two going 2-for-2 making her a perfect 5-for-5 on the day. Sophomore Carli Hurtado added two hits to her total batting 2-for-3 in game two for the Black and Gold.

Anderson returns to action to finish up its four-game homestand when it welcomes SAC foe Newberry on Saturday. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. at the AU Softball Complex.