Newberry baseball falls at Pfeiffer, 2-1

MISENHEIMER, N.C. — The Newberry College baseball team battled but fell short, as Pfeifferclaimed a sweep in the home-and-home series with a 2-1 win at Ferebee Field on Wednesday.

Newberry drops to 11-10 overall on the season heading into this weekend’s South Atlantic Conference series against Mars Hill on the road. First pitch of tomorrow’s doubleheader is set for noon in Mars Hill.

Pfeiffer threatened in the first by loading the bases with one out. After a walk to Eric Shoemaker (Huntersville, N.C.), Zach Pou (Stanley, N.C.) singled to left and Will Davis (New London, N.C.) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Newberry starter Ernest Castellano (Homestead, Fla.) relieved his team of the scoring threat by inducing a fielder’s choice and picking off Davis at second.

The game remained scoreless until the fourth when Davis led off the inning by doubling down the left field line. He was later singled home by Brandon Rouse (Kinston, N.C.).

Jason Brown (Walnut Cove, NC) started on the mound for Pfeiffer and pitched brilliantly, allowing only one runner to reach second base until the seventh. In the Newberry half of the seventh, John Kirkland (Orlando, Fla.) coaxed a leadoff walk and was followed by a Casio Grider (Hephzibah, Ga.) single, which happened to be Newberry’s second hit of the game. After a sacrifice bunt and intentional walk to load the bases, Brown bore down and induced a pop out to second. The Pfeiffer pitcher got the final out on a strikeout.

The Falcons added a much-needed insurance run in the eighth off Newberry closer Thomas Berryhill (Aynor). With two outs, Davis doubled to right field and was followed by a Jesse Dunn (Easley) walk. Then, Brandon Rouse added his second RBI single of the day, driving home Davis to give Pfeiffer the 2-0 advantage.

Newberry got on the board in the ninth when Scott Horvath (Apopka, Fla.) drove home Jovan Rohena (Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico) with a two-out double. Eric Shuford (Shelby, N.C.) came in for the Falcons and struck out John Fogarile (New York, N.Y.) to end the game.

Jason Brown picked up the win for Pfeiffer. He tossed eight innings allowing only two hits and no runs, while striking out six. Eric Shuford picked up his first collegiate save. At the plate, Pfeiffer was led by Davis (2-2 with two doubles and two runs scored), and Brandon Rouse (3-4 with two RBIs).

Castellano picked up the loss for Newberry. He went seven innings allowing one run. Berryhill pitched an inning and gave up a run on two hits. Rohena, Grider, and Horvath had the only hits for Newberry. Horvath added an RBI.

NC softball splits with No. Greenville

TIGERVILLE — The Newberry College softball team returned to action on the road Wednesday, splitting a pair of games with North Greenville University. NGU won the first game by a 6-3 count, while Newberry picked up a 6-2 win in the second game.

With the split, Newberry is now 17-6 overall and the Crusaders are 8-12 on the year. Newberry begins South Atlantic Conference play in its next game, hosting Mars Hill College for a 1 p.m. twinbill on Saturday.

Courtesy of Newberry College Sports Information