ANDERSON, S.C. – Needing just one win on the day to take their first series from Wingate since 2018, the Anderson University (19-13, 8-10 SAC) baseball team split the day with the Bulldogs, securing that mark with a 4-3 win in the opener before dropping a 6-1 decision in the night cap.
Braeden Harrison led the way for the Trojans at the plate as his two-run shot in the first game gave the Black and Gold the early lead. Kyle Caccamise recorded the lone RBI for the Trojans in the second game, while Dom Bello and Gray Wells each added one in the first. Joshua Legnard threw a gem of a game for the Trojans in the opener, tossing 6.2 innings and allowing just three runs while striking out three. Kaleb Owens came in to secure the save, recording the last out of the contest.
Game One: Anderson 4, Wingate 3
Harrison's home run would open the scoring for both squads as his two-run shot in the third gave Anderson the early 2-0 lead. However, Wingate quickly worked their way back on top with three runs in the top of the fourth, an RBI double and a two-run shot of their own to take the 3-2 lead.
The Trojans fought back in the bottom half of the frame, posting two runs on an RBI double by Bello and a sacrifice fly by Wells that swung the lead back into the Trojans favor. Anderson was able to put runners in scoring positions over the next two frames as well, including loading the bags in the fifth, but couldn't capitalize on the opportunity while the Trojans bullpen kept the Bulldogs offense at bay.
A triple followed by a pair of walks with two outs on the board in the top of the ninth gave the Bulldogs the opening they needed, but it was Kaleb Owens who came in and slammed the door, throwing just five pitches to catch Cam Harris in a swinging strikeout that brought the contest to a close, 4-3.
Game Two: Wingate 6, Anderson 1
The narrative flipped in the second game of the day as it was Wingate who put up the first runs of the contest, with a pair in the top of the first inning. Anderson scratched one across in the bottom of the frame on a bold send from third on a shallow sacrifice fly to bring the score to 2-1. A defensive miscue for the Trojans in the top of the second deflated the hopes the rest of the way as they were only able to muster four hits in the contest.
Wingate added a trio of runs in top of the seventh to put the contest out of reach for good.
Anderson returns to action on Tuesday, April 1 as they travel to Dahlonega, Ga. to take on the Nighthawks of North Georgia in a 5 p.m. showdown.
