NEWBERRY, S.C. - Senior Sarah Lynch (Pompano Beach, Fla.) smacked two two-run home runs in game one and junior Christina Kirby (Delmar, Del.) drove in the game-winning run in game two as the Newberry softball team picked up their first conference sweep of the season over Tusculum College.  Game one ended 6-3, while the Lady Indians rallied for a 9-8 win in the nightcap. 

Newberry improves to 19-28-1 overall and 4-6 in the South Atlantic Conference, while Tusculum drops to 15-27-2 overall and 0-10 in the conference. 

Tusculum got on the board first in game one as Nicole Ringwall scored on a wild pitch.  Newberry responded in the third when Lynch blasted a two-run bomb over the center field fence, scoring Ashley Marine (Peachtree City, Ga.) who reached on a walk.  The Pioneers added two more runs in the fifth when Elaine Martinez sent a two-run single to center field. 

Lynch struck again in Newberry's half of the fifth when she added a repeat performance of her third inning jack by sending another bomb over the center field fence, scoring Marine.  Kat Hammond (Irmo, S.C.) gave the Lady Indians two much needed insurance runs in the sixth when she homered to center field.  Betsy Shealy (Leesville, S.C.), who started the inning with a double, scored on the play.

Kirby picked up the win for Newberry while giving up just four hits.  Newberry ripped 10 hits on the game and handed Kassie Killion the loss. 

Tusculum jumped out to an early lead in game two after scoring three runs in the first.  Brie Griffin sent a double down the left field line, scoring Ringwall and Lisette Vital.  Megan DuBois followed with an RBI double down the right field line.  Newberry was held scoreless the first three innings of play, but responded with a vengeance in the fourth with eight runs on nine hits. 

Courtney Lindler (Irmo, S.C.) scorched an inside the park, two-run home run down the left field line to start the scoring barrage.  Jenny Raines (Blythewood, S.C.), Ashleigh Anderson (Barnwell, S.C.), and Jessica Jackson (Batesburg, S.C.) each followed with singles while Marine scored pinch runner Amy Jarrell (Dover, Del.) with an RBI single to left field.  Lynch scored Anderson with a single and Kirby made sure no runners were left on base as she drilled a towering grand slam over the center field fence. 

The Pioneers had a rally of their own in mind as they went on to score a pair of runs in the fifth, thanks to a Griffin two-run homer to left field.  Tusculum continued to rally into the sixth and ended up tying the game at eight.  Judith Saavedra scored the first of three sixth inning runs with her RBI single to left field.  After Griffin was intentionally walked to load the bases, Cortney Schwartz ripped a double to left center, scoring Saavedra and Ringwall.  Makenzie Loy flied out for the final out leaving three Pioneers stranded. 

The Lady Indians made quick work of breaking the tie, thanks in large part to Kirby.  Marine and Lynch both singled to start the Newberry sixth and later moved to second and third on a double steal.  Kirby followed with a sacrifice fly to deep center field, which was enough to score Marine.  Tusculum singled to start the seventh, but Newberry was able to retire the next three outs, finalizing the score.

Kirby (12-12) earned her second win of the day in relief effort, while starter Stephanie Monette (Conway, S.C.) gave up just three runs in four innings of work.  Killion (5-11) was charged with the loss, her second of the day.  Tusculum starter DuBois struck out five batters before being chased in the middle of Newberry's monster fourth inning. 

Up next for the Lady Indians is a road trip to Presbyterian College on April 12.  Game one of the doubleheader is set for 2:30 p.m.  Tusculum looks to pick up their first conference victory as they travel to Wingate University on April 11 for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.