NEWBERRY — The Newberry college softball team suffered its first South Atlantic Conference losses of the season at the hands of Anderson Saturday afternoon at the Smith Road Complex. The Trojans won game one 3-0, before Newberry’s comeback attempt fell just short, as Anderson eked out a 3-2 game two victory.
Anderson (25-7, 5-1 SAC) led 3-0 after six innings in game two. Newberry (21-10, 4-2 SAC) answered in the bottom of the frame, scoring the first runs of the afternoon on three hits and two errors. Rachel Marion slapped an RBI-single to center that plated Natalie Willis. In the next at bat, Myranda Dills singled to left center to cut Newberry’s deficit to 3-2.
After Emily Marchbanks notched a 1-2-3 top of the seventh, Christina Linton notched a single to the shortstop that gave Newberry the tying run on base. The Wolves were not able to bring her around to score, as Anderson held on for the 3-2 win.
Hailey Drawe, Linton and Marion recorded two hits apiece to lead Newberry at the plate. Marion and Dills also recorded RBIs.
Marchbanks recorded five strikeouts in the circle and just two earned runs. Lauren Rudesheim notched the win for Anderson after pitching 6.0 innings and allowing zero earned runs. Augie Pena recorded her third save of the season.
In the opener, Anderson scored in the top of the first and never looked back, winning by a 3-0 final.
Newberry had two runners on the bottom of the seventh, but Pena finished off the shutout for her 11th win of the season.
Willis, Marion, Dills and Tori Caldwell all recorded hits for the Wolves. Devon Morrison pitched 7.0 innings and struck out eight Trojan batters.
Newberry will host No. 15 Lenoir-Rhyne (30-7, 4-2 SAC) on Wednesday at the Smith Road Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.