ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University baseball team earned a hard-fought 6-5 win in Game One before falling 13-4 in Game Two as the Trojans split Saturday's South Atlantic Conference doubleheader with visiting Coker University at Anderson Memorial Stadium.
Game One Recap – Anderson 6, Coker 5
Anderson's early offensive outburst in the second inning proved to be the difference as the Trojans held off Coker for a 6-5 victory in the first game of the twin bill.
After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the second, Anderson erupted for six runs in the home half. Brooks Mauro and Gray Wells opened the frame with a pair of hits before Ben Bullard drove in Mauro with a single. Dom Bello followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home Wells. Brayden Owens then delivered a two-run home run to left field, giving the Trojans a 4-2 lead. A triple by Bryce Helms and a wild pitch made it 5-2, and Zach Stover's RBI single capped the six-run rally.
Coker chipped away with single runs in the fourth, sixth, and ninth innings, but the Trojan bullpen held firm. Joshua Legnard (6-2) earned the win, tossing six innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits. Corben Childers recorded his fourth save of the season by closing the door in the ninth.
Bullard led the Trojans with two hits and an RBI, while Owens finished with two RBIs and a run scored.
Game Two Recap – Coker 13, Anderson 4
Despite taking an early lead, Anderson was unable to hold off a late offensive surge from Coker, falling 13-4 in the series finale.
The Trojans jumped ahead with a four-run third inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Brooks Mauro after RBI singles by Zach Stover and Kyle Caccamise set the table.
Coker responded with a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth before tying the game in the sixth on a sacrifice fly. The Cobras then exploded for nine runs in the seventh, capitalizing on three Anderson errors and a series of timely hits, including a two-RBI single by Alex Lazar and a two-RBI double from Ick Cirino.
Walker Case started for Anderson and allowed three runs (two earned) in 4.1 innings. Corben Childers (4-4) took the loss in relief.
Coker's Ick Cirino paced all hitters with four hits and four RBIs, while Jaylen Mack added three hits and drove in two.
Anderson moves to 22-19 overall and 11-13 in SAC play. Coker improves to 25-17 and 13-11 in the conference. The Trojans round out their five-game home stand with a midweek non-conference match up with Southern Wesleyan on Tuesday, April 15.
