NEWBERRY, S.C. - Junior Rachelle Kenworthy (Riley, Kan.) doubled to right center scoring two Newberry (4-6-1) baserunners in the bottom of the seventh to give the Lady Indians a 2-1, come-from-behind victory in game one versus Lander University (3-10-1) today at the Newberry Softball Field.  Sophomore Ashley Marine (Peachtree City, Ga.) hit the game-tying home run in the nightcap forcing extra innings, but the game was called due to darkness in the middle of the eighth, leaving the score deadlocked at 2-2.

"The girls really showed a lot of fight today," stated Newberry head coach Joe Elston.  "We fell behind in both games but we kept pushing and never gave up down the stretch.  Our effort in the later innings payed off.  What we need to work on now is putting forth that same effort for the entire game." 

Game one remained a scoreless tie for the first six innings until Lander's Lib Harris drove in the first run of the game in the seventh, putting Lander on top 1-0.  Newberry fought back in their half of the inning, which started with singles from McKenzie Phillips (Wallace, N.C.) and Kat Hammond (Irmo, S.C.).  Jenny Raines (Blythewood, S.C.) advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt bringing Kenworthy to the plate.   Kenworthy in turn produced the game-winning, walk-off double up the middle.

Phillips (3-2) got the win for Newberry with a stellar performance, including three strike outs and just two hits allowed.  Lander's Ashlea Burdette (3-4) was charged with the loss.  Offensively, Hammond and Courtney Lindler (Irmo, S.C.) each went 2-for-3 for Newberry, while both Bearcat hits came from center fielder Keri Davis. 

The Lady Indians jumped out early in game two, thanks to a first inning, one-run double from Marine, but Lander responded with runs in the second and third, giving them a 2-1 advantage.  Marine produced yet again in the sixth, as she sent her first career bomb over the left field fence, tying the game.  Neither team could break the tie in the seventh, resulting in extra innings.

Lander punched through two runs in the top of the eighth, making the score 4-2, but Newberry made a threat of their own in the bottom half of the inning.  International tie breaker rules placed Lindler at second base to start the inning, but she didn't stay their long as Marine scored her with a triple to right field.  Sarah Lynch (Pompano Beach, Fla.) followed with a walk, but the game was called due to darkness as Phillips made her way to the plate.  Since the inning was not finished, the final score reverts back to the seventh inning score, making the game a 2-2 tie. 

Christina Kirby (Delmar, Del.) got the start for Newberry, while Stephanie Monette (Conway, S.C.) came in to pitch four innings of relief.  Jenna Kellett was the starter for Lander.  At the plate, Marine went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, a run scored, and two runs batted in, not including her eighth inning RBI triple. 

The Lady Indians will next face Mountain State University on February 25.  The doubleheader will be played on the campus of Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C., and will start at 9 a.m.  Lander is set to face Benedict on February 21 in home doubleheader action at 3 p.m.