NEWBERRY — The Newberry softball team split games in their doubleheader against Lander Wednesday afternoon at the Smith Road Complex.
After the split Newberry moves to a record of 18-6 overall while Lander moves to 13-9 overall.
Game One (Newberry wins 2-0 vs. Lander)
Haley Simonds drove in both runs for the Wolves and Alyssa Ball pitched a complete game shutout to lead the Wolves to victory in the first game of the doubleheader.
McKenzie Barneycastle doubled to center field in the first inning, followed by a Natalie Willis single through the left side and stole second to put two runners on base for the Wolves.
Simonds came up to bat next and grounded out to second base but would score Barneycastle from third on the play to give Newberry an early 1-0 lead.
The slugger would return to lead off the bottom of the fourth for the Wolves where she a 1-1 count before crushing a ball over the scoreboard in left field for a solo home run.
Ball would complete the game in the circle for the Wolves, getting out of some jams, including a bases-loaded situation in the seventh, without giving up a run.
The sophomore picked up her ninth win of the season in the process after giving up only five hits and striking out two batters.
Game Two (Newberry falls 6-1 vs. Lander)
The Bearcats would use a four-run fifth inning to pull away from the Wolves and ultimately win 6-1 in the second game of the doubleheader.
Lander would lead off the game with a run in the first inning to take an early lead until a solo home run by Hannah Davis tied the game.
Davis’ seventh homer of the season ultimately wasn’t enough as the Bearcats would break the tie in the third and lengthening their lead in the fifth.
The Wolves showed impressive fielding in the game, despite the result, as the Bearcats grounded into two double plays in the game.
Paige Meyer and Julia Bomhardt joined Davis as the only Wolves to record hits in the contest.
Selice Daley took the loss for the Wolves while Chelsey Cunningham and Haley Simonds both pitched in relief.