ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University (24–23, 11–17 SAC) baseball team kept the nationally ranked Lenoir-Rhyne Bears with in striking distance at all times, but ultimately fell by a score of 7-6 in the final inning in a South Atlantic Conference clash Saturday night at Anderson Memorial Stadium.

The Trojans wasted no time getting on the board as Braeden Harrison (Spartanburg, S.C.) launched a solo home run to left center in the bottom of the first inning. After Lenoir-Rhyne took a 2-1 lead by the third, Anderson tied the game in the fifth when Carson Molinaroli (Summerville, S.C.) singled, and Harrison and Shane Thomas (Blythewood, S.C.) both came around to score on sacrifice flies by Zach Stover (Powdersville, S.C.) and Gray Wells (Chapin, S.C.).

Ben Bullard (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) brought Anderson even again in the sixth with a solo blast to left center, his third homer of the year, tying the score at 4-4. But the Bears responded quickly, regaining a two-run advantage on back-to-back scoring plays in the seventh.

The Trojans clawed back yet again. Harrison singled and eventually scored on an RBI single from Stover in the seventh. In the eighth, Harrison doubled to right center and raced home on a clutch two-out single by Molinaroli to tie the game at 6–6.

Lenoir-Rhyne took the lead for good in the top of the ninth, using a double to right center to plate the winning run. Anderson went down quietly in its final at-bat, with a popout and two strikeouts ending the rally.

Harrison finished 3-for-4 with four runs scored to lead the Anderson offense, while Molinaroli and Stover each added two hits and key RBIs. 

The Trojans and Bears will continue their three-game series with a Saturday doubleheader at Anderson Memorial Stadium.