NEWBERRY – Newberry put on the ultimate show this weekend in a battle against conference foe Tusculum in the final doubleheader of the 2018 season with wins of 10-7 and 14-0 (five innings).
In Game One the Wolves edged out the Pioneers in the opening innings 2-1, thanks to a Paige Meyer single to the pitcher that scored Tori Caldwell and an Allison Van Atta home run to left field. This is the senior third baseman’s second home run of the season.
Tusculum adjusted in the third and added on four runs to steal the lead from Newberry, 5-2. The Pioneers would owe this newly found lead to a four RBI home run to left field and a single to center field. In their following half inning, they would tack on another run to eclipse the Wolves 6-2.
With their backs against the wall, the time to respond would be now in the fourth inning. Newberry did, scoring six runs to take back the lead from Tusculum. As the second batter due up for the Wolves, senior Haley Wildes was walked.
Next up was Morgan Wagaman who singled to left field and advanced Wildes to second. Van Atta returned to the batter’s box and singled to third base to load the bases for Daphne Peyton. Peyton was walked by Tusculum’s pitcher which propelled Wildes home.
Ashley Willis entered the game to pinch hit for Sydney Patterson and reached on a fielder’s choice to the third baseman which moved baserunners, but saw Wagaman out at home. Tori Caldwell kept the momentum alive and singled to the shortstop to score Van Atta for another bases loaded situation. Natalie Willis’ reach on a fielding error by the pitcher would score both her sister as well as Peyton.
This hitting for Newberry chased starting Pioneer from the mound but that wouldn’t stop the Wolves as Haley Simonds would double down the right field line to score N. Willis and Caldwell.
Chelsey Cunningham and the Newberry defense limited any type of potential comeback that Tusculum was trying to make in the sixth only giving up one run and two hits. Heading into the bottom of the sixth the Wolves had an 8-7 lead.
The insurance runs that sealed the victory for Newberry came on a base hit from Wildes that rounded Caldwell and A. Willis. These runs came after yet another pitching change for Tusculum that didn’t faze Newberry in the slightest as they would take Game One in a 10-7 triumph.
Senior right-handed pitcher Emily Marchbanks started the game and went three bouts in the circle before being relieved by Cunningham who also pitched three innings. Alyssa Ball concluded the game on the mound for Newberry.
Game Two was a complete dominant performance on both sides of the diamond for the Wolves as they enjoyed a 14-0 victory that lasted five innings. Newberry got out to a very hot start and never looked back while keeping Tusculum scoreless and only giving up two hits.
The Wolves’ offense exploded again for the second time, this time in the fourth inning after scoring five runs in the first two innings. A combination of singles in the fourth nabbed Newberry four runs, seven hits, while leaving two on base.
The fourth inning for the Wolves was one for the books as a mix of an error, catcher’s interference, two walks, two hit-by-pitches, two singles, and two triples would supply the nine runs that would wrap up the Game Two victory.
Almost every starter for Newberry nabbed a hit being led by Caldwell, Van Atta, Meyer, and N. Willis. On the defensive end, Alyssa Ball tossed the five innings for Newberry and only gave up two hits against 18 batters.