JEFFERSON CITY, TENN. — Newberry dropped a pair of games to South Atlantic Conference-leading Carson-Newman Saturday afternoon at the Vickee Hollifield Softball Complex. The Eagles defeated the Wolves by final scores of 8-1 and 5-1.
It was a pitcher’s duel early on in game one, as the two sides combined for just two hits through the first three innings.
Rachel Marion broke the deadlock in the top of the fourth, slapping a single into center that plated Hailey Drawe, giving Newberry (22-13, 5-5 SAC) a 1-0 lead.
Carson-Newman (31-7, 10-0 SAC) broke the game open in the fifth, scoring five runs off five hits. The Wolves had a baserunner on in the seventh, but could do no further damage and the Eagles took game one by a 5-1 final.
Natalie Willis, Drawe, Haley Simonds and Marion all recorded a hit at the plate for Newberry. Devon Morrison notched her 13th complete game of the season in the circle, notching six strikeouts in a losing effort.
Lacie Rinus recorded her 16th victory for Carson-Newman after tossing 7.0 innings. Rinus notched 10 strikeouts and did not allow an earned run.
Carson-Newman used a four-run fifth inning to take game two by an 8-1 final. Newberry broke up the shutout attempt in the sixth as Marion singled to shortstop and Christina Linton scored on an error.
Emily Marchbanks started the nightcap strong, allowing just two baserunners through three innings. Marchbanks also struck out five batters in 5.2 innings. Marion and Tatum Johnson recorded hits for Newberry at the plate.
Newberry committed an uncharacteristic four errors in the doubleheader. The Wolves ranked fourth in the nation and first in the SAC with a .977 fielding percentage coming into today’s contests.
Taylor Scott went 2-for-2 with two walks and five RBIs for the Eagles. Allison Webster notched the complete-game win for Carson-Newman. C-N has won 17 games in a row and moves to 10-0 in SAC play.
Newberry will host Queens University of Charlotte (16-20, 2-8 SAC) on Wednesday. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Smith Road Complex.