ANDERSON, S.C. — Anderson University softball (14-10) used a mix of timely hitting, strong pitching and explosive offense to sweep a non-conference softball doubleheader against Chowan (7-10) on Thursday afternoon at the AU Softball Complex. The Trojans held off a late rally to claim a 6-4 win in the opener before erupting for a 21-13 victory in a wild, back-and-forth nightcap.

In Game 1, Anderson built a 6-1 lead through five innings, fueled by sophomore Kadence Barrick, who went 2-for-2 with a double, two runs scored and four RBIs. Barrick's two-run double in the fifth provided key insurance as Chowan mounted a late comeback.

Junior Katie Morris (6-5) earned the win for the Trojans, allowing just one run on two hits over four innings while striking out seven. Junior Carson Hobbs recorded her first save, working the final three innings.

Chowan's Elizabeth Ingle provided the Hawks' biggest highlight with a solo home run in the fourth, while Kaitlyn Springle went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.

The second game saw both offenses explode in a combined 34-run slugfest, with the Black and Gold collecting 19 hits to power a 21-13 win. Hobbs starred at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, three runs scored and four RBI. Freshman Chloe Maness added a perfect 3-for-3 effort, driving in three runs and homering, while senior Maddie Carpenter homered, drove in two and scored four times.
Barrick continued her big day, reaching base five times while finishing 2-for-3 with two RBI, two runs scored and three walks.

Chowan briefly led after a nine-run third inning, but Anderson responded with a seven-run frame of its own and pulled away with a five-run sixth. Freshman Sarah DePaola earned the save, limiting the Hawks to two runs over the final three innings.

Anderson returns to South Atlantic Conference action when it travels to red-hot Tusculum. First-pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 1pm.