ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University (6-0) baseball team used a pair of big offensive innings and steady pitching from Caleb Costa (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) and Cole Davis (Simpsonville, S.C.) to secure a 19-5 victory over Davis & Elkins (0-3) on Sunday afternoon at Anderson Memorial Stadium
The Trojans answered an early Davis & Elkins run in the bottom of the first. Levi Medford (Canton, N.C.) reached on an error and moved into scoring position before Gray Wells (Chapin, S.C.) reached on another miscue, allowing Medford to score and even the game.
Anderson took control in the second inning with a five-run surge. Brooks Mauro (Clemson, S.C.) singled and Ethan Bonocore (Jupiter, Fla.) walked to set the table. Ben Bullard (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) followed with a double to left center, driving in both runners. Adams Faucett (Spartanburg, S.C.) singled, and after a hit batter loaded the bases, Zach Stover (Powdersville, S.C.) reached on a fielder's choice as two runs crossed the plate. Medford capped the inning with a two-run single down the left-field line to give Anderson a 7-2 lead.
After Davis & Elkins cut into the margin in the fifth, Anderson responded with another crooked number. Bullard walked to start the inning, and consecutive singles from Faucett, Braeden Harrison (Spartanburg, S.C.), and Stover produced a run. Dom Bello (Orlando, Fla.) added an RBI single, and Wells followed with a two-run base hit up the middle. Myles Denton (Brentwood, Tenn.) lifted a sacrifice fly to center to make it a 12-4 game.
The Trojans put the game out of reach in the sixth with seven runs. Harrison launched a three-run home run to left, scoring Faucett and Carter Hughes (Honea Path, S.C.). Two batters later, Denton connected on a three-run homer of his own, plating Jordyn Brown (Brevard, N.C.) and Bello. Mauro closed the inning with a solo home run, extending the Anderson lead to 19-4.
Costa earned the win on the mound, working four innings while allowing two runs on five hits. He struck out six and limited damage early to keep Anderson within reach before the offense broke through. Davis followed with three innings of relief, surrendering three runs while recording the final nine outs to secure the victory.
Harrison finished with three RBIs, while Denton drove in four. Faucett recorded four hits and scored three times, and Mauro added a pair of hits, including a home run.
The Trojans return to the diamond on Tuesday, February 10 as they welcome in the Jaguars of Augusta University to The Memorial for a non-conference showdown at 4:00 p.m.
