ANDERSON, S.C. –- Anderson University Softball (35-10, 17-5 SAC) secured the game one victory over No. 7 seed Wingate (26-19, 11-11 SAC) after a walk-off double in the South Atlantic Conference Championships Opening Round Friday evening.
"We showed them today exactly who we are as a team – we never quit, and we fight for each other every single inning." said head coach
Kelly Roberts. "I'm really proud of the way we stayed together and kept pushing."
The Bulldogs opened the scoring early in the first with a single run before rallying in the top of the third to take a 4-0 advantage over the Trojans. Anderson responded with a double to right field by sophomore
Chloe Maness (Belton, S.C.) for a single run before stealing home. The Black and Gold failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities before finding momentum in the bottom of the fifth when senior
Carson Hobbs (Nicholson, Ga.) homered to center field, bringing in two more runs to even the score.
After a scoreless sixth inning, the Bulldogs blasted a double to gain a single run lead with just one at-bat left for the Trojans. Anderson entered the bottom of the seventh with a surge of momentum with Hobbs delivering a double to left field to even the score moments before senior
Lauren Brakovec (Farragut, Tenn.) roped a double down the left line for Hobbs to score, securing the game one victory.
In the circle for Anderson was
Carson Hobbs, pitching 4.2 innings to tally her 11th victory on the mound this season. The Nicholson native recorded four strikeouts while only allowing a single run for a 1.50 ERA on the game. She also led the Trojans at bat after going 2-for-4 with one run and three RBI with a double and a homer for a .441 batting average. Brakovec also went 2-for-4 from the plate with a single RBI.
Chloe Maness also had an incredible game at bat, pushing the Trojans forward with two doubles for a .255 batting average.
The Black and Gold return to the Anderson University Softball Complex on Saturday, May 2 for game two of the South Atlantic Conference Opening Round against No. 7 seed Wingate. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
