NEWBERRY, S.C. - The Newberry softball team rallied in the fifth inning of game two for a 3-1 lead, but the Bulldogs of Wingate University came barking back with three runs of their own in the top of the sixth, giving them a 4-3, come-from-behind victory this afternoon at the Newberry Softball Field.  The Lady Indians dropped game one by a tally of 8-1.  Newberry falls to 19-32-1 overall and 4-10 in the South Atlantic Conference, while Wingate improves to 40-8 and 11-3. 

After Joy Henry scored Sarah Carleton on a single up the middle in the fourth inning, Newberry responded with their three-run, fifth-inning rally.  Ashley Marine (Peachtree City, Ga.) started the inning with single, while Ashleigh Anderson (Barnwell, S.C.) reached on an error and Jessica Jackson (Batesburg, S.C.) reached on a fielder's choice.  Sarah Lynch (Pompano Beach, Fla.), Christina Kirby (Delmar, Del.), and Betsy Shealy (Leesville, S.C.) each added an RBI single apiece to give Newberry the 3-1 lead. 

The Bulldogs answered right back with a rally of their own as they scored three runs on five hits in the top of the sixth.  Megan McPhail started the inning with a single up the middle and Henry and Courtney Wagner followed suit, Wagner coming up with an RBI.  Kimee Lewis singled through the right side later in the inning to score Henry, while Hallie Pettigrew drove in pinch runner Laura Gray for the game-winning run with a single to center field. 

Kirby singled and Kat Hammond (Irmo, S.C.) walked sparking Newberry in their last at bat, but the Lady Indians were unable to push across the tying run. 

McKenzie Phillips (Wallace, N.C.) (6-12) picked up the loss for Newberry, while Stephanie Monette (Conway, S.C.) came on in relief.  Lauren Powell (18-2) got the win by striking out five batters on five hits, while Ashley Green earned the save (1).  Green struck out three and gave up just two hits in two innings of work.

Wingate jumped on top early in game one, and never looked back.  Lewis started the game with a triple to right center and later scored on a Pettigrew RBI single.  Mandi Chester scored Pettigrew with her single to center field. 

The Bulldogs went on to add two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings.  Heather Winchester and Lewis each came up with RBI singles in the fourth, while Carleton and Chester each added RBI, ground-rule doubles in the fifth. 

Newberry got on the board in the sixth when Lynch scored Courtney Lindler (Irmo, S.C.) on a double to left field.  Wingate added two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh.  McPhail singled and later scored off a Henry triple, while Wagner scored Henry on a ground out. 

Kirby (12-14) was charged with the loss for Newberry, while Phillips contributed three inning of relief.  Green (20-5) picked up the win for Wingate on six strike outs and just four hits. 

Next up for both teams is the 2006 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament, which will be played in Salisbury, N.C.  Round one of the tournament kicks off on Thursday, April 20.  Stay posted to www.newberryindians.com for tournament pairings.