Priest
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Priest.jpgPriest

HARTSVILLE — The Newberry Wolves’ softball team saw its 2016 season come to an end with a 7-0 loss to the Wingate Bulldogs in an elimination game at the 2016 South Atlantic Conference Tournament on Friday morning at Byerly Park.

Third-seeded Wingate advances in the tournament, while the seventh-seed Wolves’ season ends at 28-22 overall.

Newberry was unable to convert baserunners into runs, as the Bulldogs turned a pair of double plays and the Wolves stranded five runners on base and had five baserunners thrown out at second base.

Ann Dee Priest went 2-for-3 at the clean up spot and Hailey Drawe earned the Wolves’ only other base hit.

The Wolves had runners stranded in scoring position in the second inning and Wingate took the lead in the bottom of the third when a rushed throw turned into a two-base error that allowed two Bulldogs to sprint home and give Wingate the 2-0 lead.

Newberry had a chance to scrape a run together in the top of the fifth, but a heads up play by the Wingate pitcher to throw out the lead runner on a sacrifice attempt was followed by a double play on a hard-hit ball to snuff out the chance.

Wingate responded with four runs in the bottom of the fifth as the Bulldogs sent 10 batters to the plate. Infield singles and walks accounted for nearly every baserunner as Wingate pieced together a 6-0 lead. That lead was extended to 7-0 in the sixth when Naomi Sapp led off that inning with a home run.

Newberry left a runner in scoring position in the top of the sixth and the Wolves were retired in order in the seventh to end their tournament and season.

This release was provided by Newberry College.