ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The Newberry College softball team earned a split on day two of the Flagler Classic. Devon Morrison’s strong performance in the circle led the Wolves to a 2-1 win in game two over Embry-Riddle after falling in game one 3-2 against Flagler in eight innings Sunday at Flagler Field.
GAME ONE
FLAGLER 3, NEWBERRY 2 (8 Inn.)
Newberry had another extra inning affair in game one against host Flagler, but the Wolves were defeated by the Saints 3-2 in eight innings.
After Flagler took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, Newberry answered with one swing of the bat as Christina Linton homered to right center in the sixth to tie the game at 2-2.
The Saints put away the first two Newberry batters, but Rachel Marion drew a two-out walk to keep the inning alive. Linton made Flagler pay the price on the fifth pitch of her at-bat, sending the ball over the center field fence.
Flagler had a runner on second with two out in the bottom of the seventh, but Morrison secured the groundout to send the contest to extra innings.
The Saints scored in the bottom eighth on a wild pitch to defeat the Wolves, 3-2.
Three different Newberry players recorded a hit. Linton collected two RBIs. Mackenzie Conley recorded two RBIs for Flagler. Morrison received the loss, pitching 2.2 innings allowing three hits and a run scored. Emily Marchbanks tossed 4.1 innings and received the no-decision.
GAME TWO
NEWBERRY 2, EMBRY-RIDDLE 1
Newberry earned the split on Sunday of the Flagler Classic, besting Embry-Riddle 2-1 in game two. Natalie Willis scored in the top of the third on an error to give Newberry a 1-0 lead. The Wolves were aided by three Eagle errors in the inning.
After two scoreless frames, Newberry had a runner on second with two outs in the sixth. Hailey Drawe knocked a single into left field, scoring Shannon McCann and doubling the Newberry advantage to 2-0.
Embry-Riddle got a run back in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Wolves’ lead in half at 2-1. Morrison shut the door with a 1-2-3 seventh inning to give Newberry the 2-1 victory.
For the third consecutive game, three different Newberry players recorded a hit. Two Eagles recorded a hit in the nightcap. Morrison tossed a complete game two-hit shutout for her third win of the season. She struck out five Eagle batters on the afternoon.
Kassidy Simonds took the loss, pitching seven innings allowing three hits and one earned run. Newberry bested its results in the South/Southeast Region crossover from last season, as the Wolves went 1-3.
Newberry will return to the Smith Road Complex on Tuesday for a rescheduled doubleheader against Francis Marion (6-2). First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.