HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Anderson University (19-20, 7-18 SAC) earned an 11-9 road victory over Coker on Friday evening, using a fast start and a decisive seventh inning to hold off a late charge.
The Trojans wasted no time getting on the board, as Braeden Harrison (Spartanburg, S.C.) led off the game with a solo home run to give the Black and Gold a 1-0 lead.
Anderson broke the game open in the third inning. Gray Wells (Chapin, S.C.) reached to start the rally before Levi Medford (Canton, N.C.) and Dom Bello (Orlando, Fla.) delivered back-to-back singles to load the bases. Riley Matthews (Anderson, S.C.) drove in a run after being hit by a pitch, and Bryce Helms (Columbia, S.C.) followed with an RBI fielder's choice. Harrison then struck again, launching his second home run of the game—a three-run shot—to cap a five-run inning and give Anderson a 6-0 advantage.
Coker responded in the fourth inning, erupting for seven runs to take a 7-6 lead, highlighted by a grand slam that shifted momentum.
The Trojans answered in the sixth inning, as Wells singled and advanced into scoring position before Bello delivered an RBI single to tie the game at 7-7.
Anderson regained control in the seventh. Zach Stover (Powdersville, S.C.) singled to spark the rally, and Myles Denton (Brentwood, Tenn.) followed with a base hit. Wells drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single before Brooks Mauro (Waxhaw, N.C.) delivered a two-run triple down the line. Medford added an RBI single to cap the four-run inning and extend the lead to 11-7.
Coker added two runs in the eighth to cut the deficit to 11-9, but the Trojans bullpen held firm down the stretch.
Kaleb Owens (Easley, S.C.) got the start for Anderson, working five innings and striking out five. Luke Godwin (Greer, S.C.) was strong in relief, tossing four innings to earn the win while allowing two runs and striking out three.
Offensively, Anderson totaled 16 hits, led by Mauro's four-hit performance. Harrison drove in four runs with his two home runs, while Wells added three hits and an RBI. Medford and Bello each contributed multiple hits as the Trojans used timely offense to secure the 11-9 win.
The two teams return to the diamond tomorrow as they wrap up their series with a doubleheader slated for a 12:00 p.m. start.
