SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Junior Rachelle Kenworthy (Riley, Kan.) smashed a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth giving the Lady Indians a come from behind victory, 3-1, over Queens University on day two of the South Carolina Fast Pitch Classic.  Bluefield State College, who Newberry was scheduled to play at noon, was unable to make the tournament resulting in a forfeit win for Newberry.  After going 3-1 in round robin tournament play, the Lady Indians improve to 13-19-1 on the season and will serve as the fifth seed in the single elimination portion of the tournament.

The match-up with Queens quickly turned into a pitching duel, as neither team scored in the first three innings.  Newberry starter Christina Kirby (Delmar, Del.) had a perfect game heading into the fourth, but Erin Crager spoiled the no hitter with a single to start the inning.  Crager later scored off an RBI from Danielle Woodford. 

The Lady Indians answered in the fifth with two hits and two runs.  Betsy Shealy (Leesville, S.C.) was hit by a pitch to start the inning and Kenworthy later followed with her game winning, two-run blast to left field.  The Lady Indians added an insurance run in the sixth when a Shealy single scored Sarah Lynch (Pompano Beach, Fla.).  Newberry’s defense produced a three up, three down inning in the seventh to secure the victory. 

Kirby picked up the win improving her record to 6-8.  On the day, she gave up just two hits and one run and struck out three batters in the complete game performance.  Lauren Berst was charged with the loss. 

The Lady Indians wrap up the tournament tomorrow as they are set to start the single elimination bracket at 10 a.m.  As the fifth seed in the elimination round, the ladies will take on No. 12 seed West Virginia State.  Eleventh seed Queens will take on No. 6 Alderson Broaddus at 10 a.m.

Single Elimination Round Schedule

Saturday, March 18 - 7:00 p.m.
#8 Lenoir-Rhyne vs. #9 West Virginia Wesleyan
#7 Lander vs. #10 UNC Pembroke

Sunday, March 19
10:00 a.m.
#3 USC Upstate vs. #14 Saginaw Valley State - Field A
#6 Alderson Broaddus vs. #11 Queens - Field B
#5 Newberry vs. #12 West Virginia State - Field C
#4 Tusculum vs. #13 West Liberty State - Field D

12:00 noon - Quarterfinal Games
winner #3/#14 vs. winner #6/#11 - Field A
#2 Presbyterian vs. winner #7/#10 - Field B
#1 Columbus State vs. #8/#9 winner - Field C
winner #4/#13 vs. winner #5/#12 - Field D

2:00 p.m. - Semifinal Games
winner Field A vs. winner Field B - Field A
winner Field C vs. winner Field D - Dield D

4:00 p.m. - Championship Game
winner Field A vs. winner Field D - Field A