ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University (17-11, 5-11 SAC) used a dominant start on the mound and steady production at the plate to secure a 9-0 win over Emory & Henry (6-19, 3-13 SAC) on Friday evening at Anderson Memorial Stadium.
Right-hander Kaleb Owens (Easley, S.C.) set the tone early, delivering seven shutout innings while allowing just five hits and three walks. He worked efficiently through traffic, stranding runners in multiple innings and limiting Emory & Henry to just one extra-base hit. Owens finished with four strikeouts and did not allow a run, lowering his season ERA with one of his most complete outings of the year. Brady Williams (Kershaw, S.C.) followed with two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, allowing just one hit while striking out two to complete the shutout.
Anderson provided early run support in the first inning. Braeden Harrison (Spartanburg, S.C.) reached base to open the frame and came around to score on an RBI groundout from Levi Medford (Canton, N.C.). Myles Denton (Brentwood, Tenn.) followed with a two-run home run to left-center, giving the Trojans a 3-0 advantage.
The Trojans added to the lead in the fifth inning as Medford doubled and later scored on an RBI double from Denton, extending the margin to 4-0. Anderson broke the game open in the sixth inning, plating four runs on just two hits. A sacrifice fly from Harrison pushed across one run before Denton was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in another. Gray Wells (Chapin, S.C.) delivered the key swing of the inning with a two-run single down the right-field line, stretching the lead to 8-0.
Anderson added its final run in the seventh inning when Ben Bullard (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) tripled and later scored on an Emory & Henry error.
At the plate, Denton led the way, going 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, and four RBIs. Wells added two hits and two RBIs, while Brooks Mauro (Clemson, S.C.) recorded two hits and scored twice. Zach Stover (Powdersville, S.C.) also contributed a pair of hits and scored a run, and Bullard added a triple and two runs scored.
Anderson finished with 11 hits and drew five walks, while the pitching staff held Emory & Henry to six hits and kept them off the scoreboard for the full nine innings.
The Trojans will look to secure the series in a doubleheader set for a 1:00 p.m. start tomorrow, Saturday, March 21. Prior to the start of the first game, the Anderson Athletics department will honor former AU head coach Joe Miller with his addition to the Wall of Honor at the stadium.
