ANDERSON, S.C. – Anderson University Softball (31-9, 14-4 SAC) began their home stretch Tuesday afternoon, securing a pair of victories (1-0, 6-4) against South Atlantic Conference opponent Catawba (22-21, 8-10 SAC).
Game one had a slow start with neither team able to capitalize on scoring opportunities. The lone run for the Trojans in the 1-0 shutout came at the bottom of the fifth after sophomore
Chloe Maness homered to left center for her second of the season.
Manness led the Trojans with her single homer while junior
Kadence Barrick (Phenix City, Ala.) recorded two putouts and four assists at third to assist the Black and Gold in their no-run victory. Recording the victory from the circle was senior
Carson Hobbs (Nicholson, Ga.) (9-3) after pitching the final 4.2 innings. The Nicholson native only allowed two hits while recording two strikeouts for a perfect 0.00 ERA on the game.
The bats were hot on both sides in game two, but the Trojan's defense came to prove, asserting their dominance. Early in the top of the first, Catawba grabbed two runs before capitalizing on another opportunity to bring in a single run in the third, advancing their lead to 3-0. Anderson responded to their opponent's rally with a homer rocketed to left field, narrowing the margin to one. The Black & Gold added another when sophomore
Chaney Crosby (Six Mile, S.C.) rounded the bases to score. In the top of the fifth, Barrick notched a single to right field, bringing two more Trojans home before Catawba generated some momentum heading into the sixth with a SAC fly for a single runner to score. Freshman
Kara Davis (Duncan, S.C.) finalized the scoring with a single through the right side to bring senior
Jenna Davis (Anderson, S.C.) home.
Leading Anderson at bat was designated player
Carson Hobbs after going 2-for-3 from the plate with two runs, a single walk and a one-run homerun. Following just behind was infielder
Kadence Barrick who tallied two RBI in game two after going 1-for-3 at bat. In the circle for the Trojans and recording her 10
th victory from the mound was freshman pitcher
Kora Kilgore (Smithville, Tenn.). Pitching six of the seven innings, the Smithville native recorded four strikeouts on the game and posted a 4.00 ERA. Recording the save from the circle was sophomore
Caroline Morgan (Silver Creek, Ga.) after pitching the final inning of the nightcap. The Silver Creek native boasted a perfect 0.00 ERA for her third save of the season with one strikeout while protecting the base for a perfect no-hit inning.
The Black and Gold finish out the week at home when they host SAC opponent Coker on Saturday, April 18 in a senior night doubleheader. The first pitch is slated for 1 p.m. with senior recognition taking place at the conclusion of game one.
