NEWBERRY, S.C. – The Newberry College softball team brought the offense in game one of Tuesday’s doubleheader against North Greenville College, but had to rely on great defense and eighth-inning run production to overcome the Lady Crusaders in the nightcap.  Newberry moves to 2-2 with the 9-1 and 1-0 wins, while North Greenville remains winless at 0-4.

Newberry wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in game one, sending Jessica Jackson (Batesburg, S.C.) home on a Sarah Lynch (Pompano Beach, Fla.) double that went to the left field wall.  The Lady Indians capitalized on four Crusader errors to score two runs in the third.  Each team tacked on a run before Newberry forced an early ending in the sixth.  Three NGC errors, three walks and two hits amounted to five runs and a 9-1 victory.

Newberry sophomore Christina Kirby (Delmar, Del.) picked up the win, making her record 1-1.  NGC pitcher Amy Krainas (Greenville, S.C.) took the loss for the visitors.

Game two was a pitcher’s duel, as both teams managed only two hits through six innings.  In the extra frame, Kayce McLeod (Newberry, S.C.) struck out the first batter, and Lynch, playing third, used top-notch defense to hold the runner on third while throwing out the batter at first at the last possible moment.  Newberry escaped unharmed, but did its damage in the bottom of the inning.  Ashleigh Anderson (Barnwell, S.C.) singled followed by a Jackson intentional walk to load the bases.  North Greenville averted the dagger with a putout at home in the next at bat, but Kirby came through with the game-winning single.

McLeod (1-1) was awarded the complete-game, three-hit win.  Shannon McCall (Pickens, S.C.) suffered the tough luck loss.

On the day, Lynch was three-for-six with three RBI.  Jackson scored four runs and had two hits and two walks.  Newberry pitching allowed a total of six hits over both games.

Newberry hosts its third doubleheader in six days when Lander comes to town on Thursday.  First pitch is set for 2 p.m.