NEWBERRY – The Newberry College softball team opened South Atlantic Conference play with a sweep of Mars Hill Saturday at the Smith Road Complex, winning game one 9-1 in five innings and game two by a 7-1 final.
After Newberry (19-8, 2-0 SAC) clung to a slim 2-1 lead after three innings, the Wolves exploded in the fourth, plating seven runs on five hits and an error. The frame was highlighted by Mallory Gerndt’s RBI-triple that gave Newberry its final margin of victory in the contest over Mars Hill (7-17, 0-2 SAC).
Tori Caldwell collected two RBIs for the Wolves, while Hailey Drawe went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI. Myranda Dills and Gerndt recorded two hits apiece in the SAC opener.
Devon Morrison earned the win in the circle, pitching 5.0 innings allowing only four hits and one run while striking out six. She earns her 11th victory of the season, surpassing her win total from last season.
The Wolves did not let up for the start of game two. Haley Simonds smashed her seventh home run of the season to right field, giving Newberry a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
Mars Hill cut the Wolves’ lead to 3-1 on Emily Crouse’s fielder’s choice in the fifth. Newberry put the game away for good thanks to Christina Linton’s two-run shot to right center, her fourth home run of the season, for a 5-1 advantage.
Allison Van Atta collected a two-RBI double, giving Newberry two more insurance runs and the final 7-1 margin.
Linton had a monster game two, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Dills, Gerndt and Van Atta all recorded two hits apiece.
Emily Marchbanks notched the win in game two, tossing a complete game, allowing just two hits, one run and striking out three. The victory marks her seventh win of the season.
The Wolves will be back in action March 22 as Newberry travels to Catawba (9-22, 2-0 SAC). The SAC doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.