ANDERSON, S.C. - The Anderson University baseball team dropped a marathon extra-inning contest to Virginia-Wise, falling 8-6 in 16 innings on Friday evening. The game was the third-longest in South Atlantic Conference history and just an inning short of tying the record.

The two sides were locked in a pitcher's duel early, as Kaleb Owens (Easley, S.C.) was dominant on the mound for the Trojans. The right-hander tossed eight shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out 10 and not issuing a walk to keep the game scoreless through the first four frames.

The Black and Gold broke through in the fifth inning when Riley Matthews (Anderson, S.C.) launched a solo home run to left field. Later in the inning, Braeden Harrison (Spartanburg, S.C.) delivered an RBI double to extend the lead to 2-0.

Anderson added to its advantage in the sixth. Myles Denton (Brentwood, Tenn.) and Gray Wells (Chapin, S.C.) reached to start the inning before a wild pitch brought Denton home. Dom Bello (Orlando, Fla.) followed with a sacrifice fly to score Wells, pushing the lead to 4-0.

Owens continued to cruise, retiring Virginia-Wise in order in both the sixth and seventh innings and working out of a threat in the eighth to preserve the four-run cushion.

Virginia-Wise rallied in the ninth inning against the Anderson bullpen, stringing together key hits to score five runs and take a 5-4 lead.

The Trojans answered in the bottom half. Matthews reached and moved into scoring position before Harrison came through again with an RBI double to tie the game at 5-5 and force extra innings.

Both teams traded scoreless frames deep into extras, with Brady Williams (Anderson, S.C.) delivering a strong relief outing to keep Anderson in the game. The right-hander worked 6.1 innings, allowing just one run while striking out four.

Virginia-Wise finally broke through in the 16th inning, scoring three runs on a series of timely hits to take an 8-5 lead.

Anderson mounted one final push in the bottom half. Matthews singled and Adams Faucett (Spartanburg, S.C.) followed with a base hit before Harrison drew a walk to load the bases. Brooks Mauro (Waxhaw, N.C.) lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home a run, but the Trojans were unable to complete the comeback as Virginia-Wise held on for the 8-6 win.

Matthews led the offense with two hits, including a home run, while Harrison drove in two runs with a pair of doubles. Faucett added two hits as Anderson totaled eight in the contest.

Despite the strong outing from Owens and extended efforts from the bullpen, the Trojans fell in the 16-inning battle.

The two teams return to the diamond tomorrow for a doubleheader set for 2:00 p.m. Senior Day festivities for the Trojans will begin at 1:10.