SALISBURY, N.C. - The Newberry College softball team was swept by Catawba College, 7-0 and 5-4, in South Atlantic Conference action here Wednesday.

The loss drops Newberry to 25-18-1 overall and 1-3 in league play. Catawba runs its record to 34-11 overall and 2-2 in the SAC.

Game One: Catawba 7, Newberry 0
Catawba struck early and never looked back, as the hosts issued Newberry its first shutout of the year.

Allie Marshall started the Catawba scoring with a two-out, two-run homer (13) down the left field line to give Catawba an early 2-0 lead.

Catawba right fielder Brittany Thornburg smacked a two-run single down the left field line in the bottom of the second to extend the lead to four runs.

Lindsay Ettinger only allowed Newberry five hits in the game, and the guests were unable to plate any of the four runners that reached scoring position.

Catawba manufactured single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to seal the win.

Stephanie Monette (11-9, Conway, S.C.) started and picked up the loss, giving up five runs - all earned - in 3-2/3 innings on seven hits and a walk, striking out one. Kristen Hicks (Bamberg, S.C.) gave up two earned runs in 2-1/3 innings of relief on three hits and two walks.

Game Two: Catawba 5, Newberry 4
Freshman outfielder Jessica Reid (Walhalla, S.C.) earned three RBIs in the nightcap, but the Lady Indians fell one run short.

Newberry took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on a two-out, two-run single up the middle, scoring Sara Powell (Ocean View, Del.) and McKenzie Phillips (Wallace, N.C.).

But Catawba claimed the lead in the bottom of the frame, as the hosts drew a pair of walks and Hillary Hampton connected on a three-run homer to put Catawba on top for good. Kathryn Geouge extended the lead to 4-2 in the third as she doubled into left center and came all the way around as the ball was misplayed against the fence.

Newberry cut the lead to 4-3 on an RBI double by Ashley Marine (Peachtree City, Ga.) in the fourth and looked to be set to tie the score in the fifth, but after consecutive singles to open the frame, Catawba turned the second hit into a double play by throwing a runner out at home and another trying to advance to second.

Catawba used its final hit to move on top 5-3 as Jacqueline White doubled home Geouge, who had walked and stolen second.

In the sixth, Newberry loaded the bases and scored on Reid’s one-out line drive back at Ettinger, who was forced to leave the game. Tiffany Farley entered and got a foul out and a ground out to end the frame. The freshman tossed a perfect seventh inning to earn her first save. Ettinger allowed two runs on seven hits, but picked up the win in relief as she improved to 19-5.

Newberry's Christina Kirby (Delmar, Del.) dropped to 12-7 on the year despite giving up only three hits in six innings. She gave up five runs - four earned - while striking out four and walking five.

Newberry will look to even its conference record as the Lady Indians return home for a Saturday doubleheader against Mars Hill. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

Game Two: Catawba College 5, Newberry College 4

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  Newberry College.... 020 101 0 -  4  9  2      (25-18-1)
  Catawba College..... 031 010 X -  5  3  0      (34-11)
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  Pitchers: Newberry College - Kirby. Catawba College - Christian; Ettinger(2);
  Farley(6).
  Win-Ettinger(19-5)  Save-Farley(1)  Loss-Kirby(12-7)  T-1:34  A-94
  HR CAT - Hampton (2)