NEWBERRY, S.C. – The Newberry softball team got back into the win column against visiting Southern Wesleyan University, sweeping a doubleheader by scores of 9-5 and 8-0.  The Lady Indians improve to 9-12 on the season.

In the first game the Lady Indians used a strong pitching performance from starter Christina Kirby (Delmar, Del.), mixed with 13 Newberry hits to defeat the Warriors 9-5.

Newberry jumped on Southern Wesleyan from the start, when in the first inning Lady Indian shortstop Courtney Lindler (Irmo, S.C.) hit a one-out triple to deep right center.  Lindler would later score on a sacrifice fly courtesy of Sarah Lynch (Pompano Beach, Fla.), giving Newberry the 1-0 advantage.

Newberry extended its lead to 3-0 in their half of the third, when Lindler knocked home Betsy Shealy (Leesville, S.C.) from third base.  Lynch would come up to bat next and drive home both Lindler and Jessica Jackson (Batesburg, S.C.) on a bases-clearing double.

Lynch went 2-for-3 in the game with five RBIs.  Jackson was perfect at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three runs scored and three stolen bases.

Kirby was putting the Warriors down with ease in the early part of the game, and carried a no-hitter into the top of the fourth inning.  In that inning, Warrior catcher Holly Kneisley (Irondale, Ala.) hit a leadoff triple to break up the Kirby no-no, and would later score on a groundout.  With one man on and two outs, Janelle Hunton (Clover, S.C.) hit a ground rule double to clear the bases, making the score 4-2 Newberry.

The game remained tight until the Newberry half of the fifth inning, when Newberry catcher Rebecca Backman (Columbia, S.C.) collected two RBIs to extend Newberry’s lead to 6-2.  The Lady Indians would also score a run on a Warrior error, making the score after five 7-2 in Newberry’s favor.

Lynch would go on to collect her fourth and fifth RBIs of the day in the bottom of the sixth, after her second double of the afternoon.  Southern Wesleyan would mount a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, but it was too little too late as Newberry held on for a 9-5 win.    

Kirby (5-6) went the distance for the Indians, scattering five hits and striking out five.  Southern Wesleyan starter Kaylie Green (Campobello, S.C.) was credited with the loss.

The Newberry bats stayed hot in the second game, as the Lady Indians made quick work of the Warriors, defeating Southern Wesleyan 8-0 in six innings.

Newberry starting pitcher Kayce McLeod (Newberry, S.C.) was absolutely untouchable as she tossed a two-hit complete game.  McLeod (4-6) struck out six Warrior batters, and faced only two batters over the minimum.

Newberry, already up 2-0, broke it open in the fifth inning, roughing up Southern Wesleyan starter Ashlee Frazier (Meridian, Miss.) for four runs.  After Jackson crossed home plate on a throwing error, Lynch knocked home Lindler with an RBI single.  Then, with two runners on with two outs, Newberry second baseman Jenny Raines (Columbia, S.C.) would hit a base clearing triple, giving the Lady Indians a 6-0 lead.

Lynch continued her offensive streak in the second game, going 2-for-3 and knocking home three runs.  Raines was held hitless in the first game, but rebounded nicely in the second with a 2-for-3 performance from the plate.  Lindler went 3-for-4 in the game with a triple and an RBI.

Frazier was credited with the loss for Southern Wesleyan.

The Lady Indians will participate in a tournament on the campus of Francis Marion University this weekend.  Newberry’s first opponent will be West Virginia State on March 11th.  First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.