ANDERSON, S.C. – Anderson University Softball (3-3) swept its home opening double header against nonconference opponent Clark Atlanta (3-3), defeating the Panthers 8-1 and 13-4 on Saturday afternoon.
"I'm really proud of the way our team showed up today." said head coach
Kelly Roberts.
Clark Atlanta scored its lone run at the top of the first before Anderson responded with a run by freshman K Davis (Duncan, S.C.) after junior
Kadence Barrick (Phenix City, Ala.) reached first on a fielder's choice. Senior
Lauren Brakovec (Farragut, Tenn.) tripled for Barrick to score at the bottom of the inning. The Trojans scored five runs in the third to surge past the Panthers including doubles by Barrick and sophomore
Chaney Crosby (Six Mile, S.C.) before freshman
Bella Harbour (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) homered for two RBI. Freshman
Lily Davenport (Wetumpka, Ala.) rounded out the scoring for Anderson with a single home run to center field during her only at bat of the game.
On the pitcher's mound, senior
Katie Morris (Valley, Ala.) notched her second victory of the season pitching all seven innings, allowing only one run, three hits and recording 11 strikeouts on the game.
In game two, the first two innings were scoreless before Anderson took the lead, scoring five runs at the bottom of the third. Senior
Carson Hobbs (Nicholson, Ga.) and Crosby each batted a single for a run while Morris tripled at bat for two RBI. The Panthers entered the top of the fourth strong with two doubles to score four runs before Barrick notched a grand slam. The Black & Gold's rhythm continued, closing the game with four runs in the bottom of the fifth.
On the mound, freshman
Kora Kilgore (Smithville, Tenn.) notched her first victory of the season with a save by Hobbs to keep the panthers scoreless in the final inning for the Trojans to claim the sweep.
"We played complete softball-our offense was aggressive, and our defense stayed locked in from the first pitch to the last." added Roberts. "This was an important step for us. The energy, focus, and execution we showed today is what we expect moving forward."
The Black and Gold hop back on the road when they take the short trip to Emmanuel (Ga.) on Monday, Feb. 9 for a doubleheader. The games are slated for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
