AIKEN, S.C. – Anderson University Softball (1-1) opened their 2026 campaign with a split, claiming a 3-1 victory for game one and dropping game two, 8-4, in a nonconference match up against USC Aiken (1-1) on the road Friday afternoon. The first game of the series marked
Kelly Roberts' first career victory.
"For our first day out, I really liked the fight and energy we showed." said Roberts.
After two scoreless innings, the Pacers batted a triple at the bottom of the third to score their only run of the first game. Anderson found a rhythm, scoring their first run of the game at the top of the fifth after sophomore
Chloe Maness (Belton, S.C.) singled to center field for freshman
Kara Davis (Duncan, S.C.) to score. The Trojan's final run came after freshman
Bella Harbour (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) claimed a double to left field, recording two RBI while at bat. The Pacers limited the Black & Gold to nine hits with junior
Kadence Barrick (Phenix City, Ala.) recording three to lead Anderson.
In the circle, senior
Katie Morris (Valley, Ala.) (1-0) recorded just five hits and tallied eight strikeouts for her first victory of the season.
USC Aiken started the first inning of the final game in the series with a grand slam before Anderson scored their first run of the game from a single by senior
Shelby Bandt (Ft. Valley, Ga.) The Pacers blasted three hits with three scorers before the Trojans responded with a homer by Barrick for her first of the season and fourth of her career. Aiken scored two more runs before Anderson attempted to close the gap late in the seventh inning. After a single to center field by Maness for Bandt to score, Barrick walked to load the bases. Down by four runs, the Black & Gold were unable to claim the victory.
"
Katie Morris was strong on the mound in game one and gave us a chance from the start while our offense came through with timely hits." added Roberts. "Splitting today gives us a solid foundation to keep growing from. This team never quit today and that's all I can ask for."
The Black and Gold are back on the road Tuesday, Feb. 3 when they travel to North Greenville for a nonconference doubleheader. The games are slated for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
