ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University (11-4) baseball team delivered another explosive offensive performance of the young season Tuesday afternoon at Anderson Memorial Stadium, scoring 21 runs in a 21-3 win over Southern Wesleyan (5-10). The Trojans combined a big inning early with balanced contributions throughout the lineup while the pitching staff limited the visitors to just three runs on four hits.
After Southern Wesleyan struck first with a run in the top of the first, Anderson answered emphatically in the bottom of the third. The Trojans strung together a series of clutch hits and aggressive baserunning to push across nine runs. Dylan Dampier (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) opened the rally with a double, and Riley Matthews (Waxhaw, N.C.) reached on an error before stealing second base. Adams Faucett (Spartanburg, S.C.) followed with a two-run single into right center, scoring both runners. Zach Stover (Powdersville, S.C.) added an RBI single, and Dampier later came home on a fielder's choice to extend the lead.
Matthews continued his impact in the inning with a two-RBI double to left center, bringing home Dampier and Brooks Mauro (Clemson, S.C.). The Trojans didn't stop there—Faucett doubled in another run, and both Dampier and Stover scored again as Anderson totaled nine runs and built a 9-1 edge through three innings.
Anderson put the game out of reach with another nine-run frame in the fourth. With the bases loaded after a combination of walks, singles and fielding miscues by Southern Wesleyan, Matthews delivered a two-RBI double down the left-field line as two more runs scored. The Trojans continued to tack on runs as extra-base hits and free passes kept the pressure on, highlighted by an RBI single from Mauro that extended the lead to 21-1 before relief work began.
On the mound, Anderson's pitching staff worked efficiently to preserve the advantage. Aiden Bumgarder (Indian Trail, N.C.) earned the win, allowing just one hit and striking out three. Caleb Costa (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) provided two innings of scoreless work with three strikeouts, and the duo of Carter Morgan (Easley, S.C.) and Charlie Sauls (Estill, S.C.) combined to finish the game in the final frame.
The Trojan offense was paced by Matthews, who finished with four RBIs and multiple extra-base hits, and Faucett, who collected four hits and four RBIs. Mauro, Stover, Dampier and Levi Medford (Canton, N.C.) each contributed key hits as Anderson collected ten hits in the contest.
The Trojans return to action this weekend at home with a three-game conference series against Carson-Newman on Friday and Saturday, February 27-28.
