SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Newberry College softball team continues to show signs of improvement and perseverance, going 3-3 this past weekend at the S.C. Fastpitch Softball Classic hosted by USC Upstate.  The Lady Indians fell to the eventual champion Spartans in the quarterfinals Sunday afternoon after completing a perfect 3-0 Saturday against three West Virginia institutions.

After suffering disappointing losses to Queens University and Columbus State on Friday, Newberry reeled off 18 runs and a shutout in three games Saturday.  In the day's opener, Newberry entered the bottom of the seventh inning tied at five all until Sarah Lynch (Pompano Beach, Fla.) cleared the bases with a walk-off homer to win the game, 7-5.

Christina Kirby (Delmar, Del.) won her second game of the weekend in fine fashion, allowing only three hits in a shutout of Fairmont State.  Rebecca Backman (Columbia, S.C.) and Jessica Jackson (Batesburg, S.C.) each had two hits and a RBI in the 2-0 win.

Kirby paid dividends both ways in the 9-3 win over West Virginia Wesleyan, allowing only one earned run on the mound and driving in three runs in her first two at bats.  She hit safely her first three times up, and sent a leadoff shot out of the park in the third inning.  Lynch drove in a pair of runs on a double in the second.  The Lady Indians held an 8-1 lead after three-and-a-half innings, and at that point the final score was merely academic.

Following the tournament, Kirby was named to the all-tournament team for her 9-for-13, three-homer, 1.462 slugging percentage performance.  Additionally, she threw every pitch for Newberry, coming away with 12 strikeouts, one shutout and three wins.

Next up for the Lady Indians is Lander University Tuesday afternoon at 4.  Newberry is winless in four tries against the Bearcats this year.

S.C. Fastpitch Softball Classic Results (Newberry)
3/18 vs. Queens           2-4 L
3/18 vs. Columbus State   5-6 L
3/19 vs. West Liberty St. 7-6 W
3/19 vs. Fairmont State   2-0 W
3/19 vs. W. Va. Wesleyan  9-3 W
3/20 vs. USC Upstate      1-9 L