ANDERSON, S.C. — No. 15 Anderson used a desperate last-effort offensive push in extra innings to squeeze by the Cavaliers by a score of 3-2 in game one and an unanswered second inning rally to take a 3-1 triumph in game two today at the AU Softball Complex.
 

GAME 1
It was an all-out battle from the circle as McKenna Falwell paced the Cavaliers with a career-high matching 12 strikeouts in seven and 2/3 innings pitched — including swiping three strikeouts from 2022 Division II Player of the Year Kayson Boatner. Anderson pitcher Carson Hobbs produced a solid five strikeouts in eight innings pitched.

Hannah Richardson secured her first hit as a Cavalier in noteworthy fashion as the freshman smashed an RBI double to right field in the top of the fourth inning to get UVA Wise (2-8, 0-2 SAC) on the board. Sarah Barrett would add another run for the squad in the top of the fifth with a homer to left, giving the Cavaliers a 2-0 lead over the No. 15 Anderson crew (14-4, 2-0 SAC).

In the bottom of the inning, the Trojans would find an offensive spark led by a Maddie Carpenter single up the middle. Falwell would snag another strikeout soon after, but nine-hole hitter Yas Laureano made some noise with an RBI double that would cut the Cavalier lead in half. The game evened out at 2-2 after Ava Worthy found another RBI to score Laureano before a flyout retired the side.

Both squads went virtually silent for two innings after, with Anderson's Carpenter unable to produce after a leadoff triple in the bottom of the seventh.

In the eighth, UVA Wise was unable to bring in the international tiebreaker runner home after two unlucky smacks right to the outfield from Falwell and Barrett. The Trojans soon found a stroke of luck after a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly brought their winning run home to grab the 3-2 win.

"McKenna [Falwell] pitched beautifully today," Co-Head Coach Karen Bitter said. "Everything was working and moving so well, she missed so many bats today which was evident in her 12 strikeouts. McKenna has shown time and time again that she can compete against the top teams in the nation. I'm so glad I have had the opportunity to coach her. I wish we could have pulled out that win for her but if she continues to pitch like that I know we will come away with some wins."

GAME TWO
After a quiet offensive first inning from Anderson consisting of three groundouts drawn by Cavalier pitcher Alivia Nolley, Anderson found some leeway in the bottom of the second inning. Hannah Whitaker of the Trojans grabbed the first hit of the game with a double to get a Trojan runner on base. Olivia Wheeler then drew a walk before a Hobbs two-run single gave the Trojans a 2-0 lead.

Despite getting Kara Long on base for the Cavaliers in the top of the third, Anderson pitcher Lane Edgington forced a groundout and two flyouts to get the Trojan bats back.

Boatner found her first hit of the day with a two-out single in the bottom of the inning. Two following hits from the Trojans would score another before a poppet would end the inning.

The Cavaliers would grab three more hits in the next three innings — from Richardson, Barrett, and Falwell — but wouldn't be able to convert. In the last chance for the Cavaliers in the top of the seventh, Barrett would smack yet another home run to cut their deficit to two before a flyout would end the game in Anderson's favor, 3-1.

"Liv [Nolley] continues to get better every time she steps in the circle," K. Bitter added. "She did a great job keeping their hitters off-balance and getting us routine outs. Looking forward to seeing her continue to grow this year."

On the day, Barrett led the team with four hits — two of which were homers.

UP NEXT
Up next, the Cavaliers face non-conference Emmanuel College for a twin bill with 1/3 PM start times.