The second-ranked Newberry College wrestling team defeated UNC-Pembroke, 45-3, to extend its home winning streak to 12. Newberry scored bonus points in all nine victories with four falls, four major decisions and one technical fall.

At 125-pounds, Matt Oliver (Toms River, N.J.) defeated Kieyon Nash by pinfall at the 1:50 mark. The pin was Oliver’s ninth of the season, as he improved his record to 22-2 and his winning streak to nine.

The 133-pound match served as Newberry’s only defeat of the night as Sheridan Moran (Lafayette, La.) lost to Mike Nash by a 6-4 decision. Nash, No. 4 in the East Region, scored a late reversal in the third period to hand Moran his eighth loss of the season.

Tony Washington (Georgetown.) won his eighth straight match with his 20-5 technical fall against Marcellous Perry at the 5:25 mark. The technical was Washington’s second of the season and pushed his record to 19-6 on the year. The win also puts Washington one win away from reaching 50 career wins.

Adding to Newberry’s was Latra Collick (Berlin, Md.) with his 17-6 major decision against Brandon Bradley at 145-pounds. Collick outscored Bradley in every period and scored seven takedowns in the match. With the victory, Collick improved his season record to 23-5.

The second pin of the night occurred when Sean Byrnes (Jackson, N.J.) pinned Dennis Fix at the 1:23 mark. The pin was Byrnes’ fourth of the season and increased his record to 16-8. Byrnes scored the opening points in the match with a takedown and followed with the subsequent fall.

Brandon Kelly (Fort Myers, Fla.) defeated Rashaad Saunders by a 21-8 major decision. The major was Kelly’s third of the season, which improved his record to 19-6 and his winning streak to eight.

Newberry clinched the victory when Josh Whitelock (Rhodesdale, Md.) registered a 9-0 major decision against Michael Hall. Whitelock’s fifth major of the season pushed his season record to 17-8.

At 184-pounds, Bryant Blanton (Summerville) pinned Conor Pryor at the 4:53 mark to give Blanton his 11th pin of the season. Blanton’s pin pushed him into a three-way tie for most pinfalls in a season with assistant coach Kelly Anundson and teammate Cy Wainwright. At the time of the pin, Blanton was leading Pryor, 14-1.

In the penultimate match of the night, Keeno Griffin (Jacksonville, Fla.) achieved a 14-5 major decision against James De La Riva. Griffin scored six takedowns in the match as he advanced his season record to 23-2.

The final match of the night ended with the same result as the first asWainwright (Green Cove Spring, Fla.) pinned Andrew Evans at the 4:00 mark. The pin was Wainwright’s ninth of the season as he improved his record to 27-0 and pushed his winning streak to 29. The pinfall also tied Wainwright with Anundson for most career pins with 28.

The victory against the Braves improved Newberry’s record to 21-2 on the season. The victory also served as Newberry’s 10th victory over an East Region foe.

Coach Jason Valek’s squad has three home matches remaining on the season before traveling to the East Regional Tournament in Erie, Pa. Newberry faces Belmont Abbey on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. followed by a season-finale doubleheader with Anderson and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on Feb. 19 starting at 5 p.m.

Newberry baseball drops 3-1 decision to Lander

GREENWOOD — The Newberry College baseball team could not convert on run-scoring opportunities and one big inning was enough for Lander, as the host Bearcats took a 3-1 victory on a blustery afternoon at Legion Field.

Newberry (1-1) stranded nine runners on the bases throughout the game, including two in the ninth after loading the bases with one out.

Lander (2-1) put three runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth and held off multiple comeback attempts for the win.

After Newberry was retired in order in the top of the first, Lander threatened after singles and steals from Brian Bender and Josh Lovvorn put runners on second and third with one out. But NC starter Chris Roman (Kissimmee, Fla.) struck out the next two batters to avoid any damage.

Neither team could mount another threat until the top of the fourth. John Kirkland (Orland o, Fla.) hit a one-out single, while Scott Horvath (Apopka, Fla.) beat out an infield single with two outs. A passed ball put runners on second and third, but Lander pitcher Billy Veal forced Jim Pollack (Homer, Alaska) to ground out to third and end the inning.

Lander responded in the bottom on a leadoff single from A.J. Nunziato and an RBI triple down the right field line from Gabe McCann. Robert Skinner’s sacrifice fly put the second run on the board. Devin Ridlehoover created the third run after earning first base on a hit-by-pitch and stealing second and third. Darrin Tew hit an RBI grounder to second to put Lander’s third and final run off the board.

From that point, the Newberry pitching staff effectively shut down the Bearcats, allowing only three baserunners in the last four innings.

But the scarlet and gray could not capitalize on chances they created offensively, stranding five runners in scoring position in the last five innings. Newberry had a chance to put its first run on the board in the top of the fifth with runners on second and third with one out, but a groundout and flyout ended that rally.

Newberry finally scored in the top of the ninth after Pollack started a rally byreaching on an error after a hard hit ball to shortstop. Jose Rosa (Keystone Heights, Fla.) hit a single to left and Roland Haskins (Alexandria, Va.) drew a walk to load the bases.

Derek Bley (Upper Arlington, Ohio) grounded out to first in the next at bat, allowing Pollack to score, but Thomas Berryhill (Aynor) struck out swinging to end the game.

Roman (0-1) picked up the loss for Newberry, allowing three runs on four hits in 3-1⁄3 innings, striking out four. Dale Bennett (Summerville) struck out four in 22⁄3 innings of relief. Lander’s Veal (1-0) earned the win, allowing only three hits in five innings.

Newberry will look to pick up some wins this weekend as the scarlet and gray kick off a nine straight home games. The homestand begins Friday night at 7 p.m. with the first of a four-game set against the College of Saint Rose (N.Y.) Golden Knights. A doubleheader Saturday is followed by a matinee Sunday afternoon.

Softball doubleheader against Lander

rescheduled to Feb. 20

The season-opening game for the Newberry College softball team has been postponed due to inclement weather. The scarlet and gray were set to play against Lander University today at 2 p.m. Instead the game has been rescheduled for Feb. 20.

Newberry’s season opener will now be Saturday in a doubleheader at Belmont Abbey College. The game time has been set for 2 p.m. with the second game to follow.

Courtesy of Newberry College Sports Information