ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University (14-6, 4-6 SAC) baseball team rallied late but ultimately fell to Lincoln Memorial (12-9, 6-4 SAC), 6-5, in South Atlantic Conference action Friday evening at Memorial Stadium.
The Trojans collected 11 hits and erased a mid-game deficit but could not complete the comeback after Lincoln Memorial scored three runs in the eighth inning to regain the lead.
Anderson struck first in the opening inning. Braeden Harrison (Spartanburg, S.C.) reached on a throwing error and advanced to third before Dom Bello (Orlando, Fla.) lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to bring Harrison home for the early 1-0 advantage.
Lincoln Memorial responded with two runs in the third inning and added another in the fourth to move in front 3-1.
The Trojans trimmed the deficit in the bottom of the fourth. Brooks Mauro (Clemson, S.C.) doubled to right-center to spark the inning before Myles Denton (Brentwood, Tenn.) singled. Mauro later scored on a Lincoln Memorial throwing error to cut the lead to 3-2.
Anderson evened the game in the fifth inning when Riley Matthews (Waxhaw, N.C.) connected on a solo home run to left field, tying the contest at 3-3.
After a scoreless sixth and seventh, Lincoln Memorial broke the tie with a three-run eighth inning to take a 6-3 lead.
The Trojans answered in the bottom half of the inning. Mauro was hit by a pitch to begin the frame and Denton followed with a single. A Lincoln Memorial fielding error allowed Zach Stover (Powdersville, S.C.) to reach, loading the bases. Matthews then reached on a fielder's choice that scored Denton, while Mauro also came home on a throwing error to cut the deficit to one.
Anderson threatened again in the ninth. Bello worked a lead-off walk and advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Gray Wells (Chapin, S.C.). After Levi Medford (Canton, N.C.) was hit by a pitch, Mauro delivered a single to load the bases with one out, but Lincoln Memorial turned a double play to end the game.
Denton led the Trojans at the plate, going 3-for-5, while Bello added two hits. Mauro finished 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, and Matthews drove in two runs, highlighted by his home run.
On the mound, Kaleb Owens (Easley, S.C.) started and worked six innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out five. Carson Roberts (Seneca, S.C.) took the loss after allowing three runs in the eighth inning. Luke Godwin (Greenwood, S.C.) and Luke Parson (Tampa, Fla.) also appeared in relief.
The two teams continue their three-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader slated for a 1:00 p.m. start.
