FLORENCE, S.C. - The Newberry softball team fell 6-1 in their Patriot Invitational opener to host team Francis Marion University, but picked up the slack in a six-inning, 9-1 stomping of Goldey-Beacom College to close Newberry's day-one tournament action.  With the split, the Lady Indians improve to 8-17-1 overall heading into day-two of the FMU event.

After giving up a solo home run and one other run in the second inning of game one, the Lady Indians kept close in their half of the inning when Crystal Renfro (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) scored on a Patriot error.  Francis Marion was able to add some insurance in the third when Janine Allen and Monica Wofford each knocked bombs over the center field fence.  Newberry, who recorded just four hits to Francis Marion's 11 on the game, was unable to score again, while the Patriots added one more run in the seventh. 

Starter Stephanie Monette (Conway, S.C.) picked up the loss, bringing her record to 1-4.  Serena Lim struck out five in the win and hit a home run.  McKenzie Phillips (Wallace, N.C.) pitched four plus innings of relief for Newberry and gave up just one run.  Francis Marion improves to 10-5 overall.

In the nightcap, the Lady Indians pounced on their opponents from Goldey-Beacom, but didn't do so until late in the game.  Newberry grabbed a run in the second when Betsy Shealy's (Leesville, S.C.) single to shortstop scored Phillips.  Newberry heated things up starting in the fourth, as they scored three runs two innings in a row.  Courtney Lindler's (Irmo, S.C.) two-run double to left field highlighted the fourth, while Christina Kirby (Delmar, Del.) and Amy Jarrell (Dover, Del.) each hit doubles in the fifth.  Phillips and Shealy also came up big in the fifth with an RBI apiece.

Goldey-Beacom's lone run came in the top of the sixth when Brandy Ash scored Amanda Wooleyhand on a ground out.  Sarah Lynch (Pompano Beach, Fla.) started off the Newberry sixth with a solo blast over the center field wall.  Kirby and Kat Hammond (Irmo, S.C.) each followed with singles, while Allison Porter (Chapin, S.C.) ended the game with an RBI double to right field.  Kirby (4-6), who struck out five and gave up just one run on the game, picked up the win for Newberry.  Kendra Russell was charged with the loss.

The Lady Indians head back to the Patriot Invitational for a 3 p.m. game tomorrow, March 11.  Newberry will face West Liberty State College, while Francis Marion and Goldey-Beacom will also be in action.