DUE WEST, S.C. – The Newberry College softball team got on the winning track as they picked up a split at Erskine College this afternoon.  After losing the opener 5-3, the Lady Indians rebounded with a 7-5 win in the nightcap.  Newberry improves to 14-25-1 while Erskine drops to 11-14 overall.

Newberry grabbed an early lead in game two after scoring three runs in the first inning.  Sarah Lynch (Pompano Beach, Fla.) drove in Jessica Jackson (Batesburg, S.C.) and Ashleigh Anderson (Barnwell, S.C.) with a single to center field and later scored after a Jenny Raines (Blythewood, S.C.) RBI ground out. 

The Flying Fleet fought back in the second with four runs of their own.  Sharleen Ashby (Pickens, S.C.) knocked her second solo home run of the day to start the inning and Hannah Webb (Weaverville, N.C.) followed with a two-run double to right field.  Ashlee Lafontaine (Grovetown, Ga.) closed the inning with an RBI single through the left side.

The Lady Indians immediately responded with three runs in the third and one in the fourth.  Betsy Shealy (Leesville, S.C.) scored Lynch off an RBI single to left field and McKenzie Phillips (Wallace, N.C.) drove in the other two third inning runs with a single through the left side.  Another Lynch single scored Anderson in the fourth. 

Erskine threatened in the fifth, but Christina Kirby (Delmar, Del.) rung up the third out leaving the bases loaded.  The Flying Fleet started the sixth with two base runners on two hits, but the Lady Indians retired the next three batters in turn.

The Flying Fleet’s late rally continued into the seventh as Rebecca Clontz (Asheville, N.C.) smashed a solo shot over the left field fence.  Erskine would get no closer as Newberry retired the next two batters.

Kirby (7-12) picked up the win in relief effort, while Elizabeth Miller (Hodges, S.C.) was charged with the loss.  Kirby struck out five and gave up just one run in the win.

In game one, Newberry jumped out early in the top of the second with three runs.  Kirby started the inning with a double to center field and later scored off a Shealy RBI single.  Jackson’s bunt single scored the other two runs later in the inning. 

Erskine added a run in their half of the second thanks to an Ashby solo home run.  After being down most of the game, the Flying Fleet grabbed the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth.  After a hit and two Newberry errors, Katee Knapp (Branford, Fla.) drove in the game-winning run with her three-run blast over the left field wall.

Although Newberry out-hit Erskine 7-4, the Lady Indians couldn’t overcome several timely hits from the Flying Fleet.  Kirby struck out seven in the loss for Newberry, while Kimberly Hannan (Madison, Miss.) got the win.  Kaitlin Hunt (Lake Wales, Fla.) came in late to earn the save.

Up next for the Lady Indians is a conference doubleheader at Mars Hill College on April 1 beginning at 1 p.m.  Erskine will travel to Belmont Abbey on March 31 for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.