Anderson, S.C.----The Anderson University Trojans scored seven runs in the first four innings Friday night, defeating 22nd-ranked Wingate University 7-3 in South Atlantic Conference baseball action. Anderson improves to 14-22 overall and 7-12 in the SAC, while the Bulldogs fall to 29-10 overall and 13-6 in league play.
Chandler Castleberry had two homers, three RBI and three runs scored to lead the Anderson offense.
Dillon Carpenter added a double and three RBI, while
Jackson Strange had two hits and an RBI for the Trojans.
Sophomore infielder
McCann Mellett (Charlotte, N.C.) was two-for-four with a homer and two RBI to lead the Wingate attack. Senior infielder
Brett Branton (Athens, Ga.) added a double and an RBI, while junior catcher
Micah Goodwin (Rougemont, N.C.) was one-for-two with a double and a run scored.
Wingate jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Mellett connected on his fifth homer of the season, a solo to right center.
Anderson tied it in the bottom of the second on Strange's RBI single, but the Bulldogs regained the lead in the top of the third. Freshman outfielder
Justin Guy (Greensboro, N.C.) drew a lead-off walk, stole second, then scored on Mellett's sacrifice fly to make it 2-1.
The Trojans scored twice in the bottom of the frame to take the lead. Carpenter's sacrifice fly tied it, while Castleberry followed with a solo homer to put Anderson on top 3-2.
Wingate tied it in the fourth when Goodwin drew a one-out walk, then scored on Branton's RBI double, but Anderson scored four times in the bottom of the frame to take a 7-3 lead. With two outs and nobody on, the Trojans piled up four straight hits. Carpenter's two-run single made it 5-3, while Castleberry followed with a two-run homer to left center to give Anderson a four-run advantage.
Austin Todd got the win, moving to 3-3. He allowed three runs on five hits in seven innings of work, striking out three and walking five.
Christian Carpenter worked two shutout innings for his second save of the year, striking out two. Senior right-hander
Hunter Morgan (Summerfield, N.C.) took the loss, allowing six earned runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out two and walking two to fall to 4-2. Sophomore right-hander
Alex Rodriguez (Kannapolis, N.C.) tossed 3 1/3 shutout innings in relief, allowing one hit while striking out seven.
The two teams are back in action Sunday, wrapping up the series with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. The contests were originally scheduled for Saturday, but have been moved back a day due to inclement weather.
