NEWBERRY, S.C. – Newberry scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to win Game Two against USC Aiken, 2-1, and split its doubleheader against the Pacers in NCAA Division II softball action Monday afternoon. Freshman Katelin Edwards struck out nine batters in seven innings of work to pick up her fourth win of the season.

Game One: USC Aiken 7, Newberry 6
Newberry scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to rally to within one of the Pacers, but the Lady Indians were unable to push across the tying run.

USC Aiken jumped out to a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third as Megan Lake hit doubles in the first and third innings and came around to score each time. The third Pacers’ run came from the bat of Sheena Blackwell who connected for a single to drive in Jessica Strickland.

Newberry pulled to within one in the bottom of the inning. Chelsea Chipoletti (Brooksville, Fla.) led off with a single and scored on a two base throwing error by Lake on a bunt single by Aissa Gatewood (N. Charleston, S.C.). The speedy Gatewood advanced to third on the error and was driven home on a single by Kat Hammond (Irmo, S.C.).

The Pacers responded right back in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs on four singles and a walk.

With the score 6-2, Jesse Groves (Suwanee, Ga.) relieved the starter Kristen Hicks (Bamberg, S.C.). Groves ended the Pacer rally with two strikeouts and a groundout to end the threat.

Newberry got back one run in the bottom of the fifth as Sara Powell (Ocean View, Del.) got on with a single and was driven in by a single up the middle by Groves.

The score remained 6-3 until the top of the seventh when USC Aiken added what proved to be a crucial insurance run on an RBI double by Candice Hardee.

Gatewood began the Lady Indians’ rally in the bottom of the seventh with a triple that sailed over the centerfielder’s head. Powell drove Gatewood home with a single down the left field line. Down three, Hammond pulled the Lady Indians to within one on a mammoth homerun to straight away center field. The homerun was Hammond’s team leading fifth of the season.

Pulled to within one, Newberry was unable to get another base runner on as Kristen Cochran got three straight outs to secure her second win of the season.

Groves was charged with the loss after allowing the seventh run of the game in the top of the seventh.

The top four batters for the Lady Indians went a combined 8-for-16 with five RBI and five runs scored.

Game Two: Newberry 2, USC Aiken 1
The Lady Indians pulled off a 2-1 victory in the second game of the doubleheader despite being held without a hit for the entire game.

USC Aiken jumped ahead 1-0 on a homerun by Blackwell in the top of the fifth, but it was the only run the Lady Indians would give up in the game.

In the bottom of the sixth, Newberry pushed across two runs to take a 2-1 lead. Amy Jarrell (Dover, Del.) worked a walk to start the inning and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Gatewood. Powell followed Gatewood with a walk of her own to put runners on first and second. A Hammond groundball advanced Jarrell and Powell to third and second. Both scored when Groves connected on a sharp grounder that squirted through the shortstop’s five hole and into the outfield.

Edwards (Greer, S.C.) shut the Pacers down in the top of the seventh getting three straight outs on a pop up and two strikeouts looking. Edwards pitched her best game of the year, going the full seven innings and giving up just two hits while striking out nine. The Blackwell home run was the lone run surrendered by the freshman. Edwards threw just 68 pitches in the game including 53 strikes.

Newberry returns to the field tomorrow, March 11, when the Lady Indians host Limestone College in doubleheader action. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

USC Aiken 7, Newberry 6 (Game 1)
Mar 10, 2008 at Newberry, S.C.
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USC Aiken........... 102 300 1 -  7 14  3
Newberry............ 002 010 3 -  6 10  1
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WP- Kristen Cochran (2-7)  LP- Jesse Groves (0-1)  T-2:00   A-0
HR: NC – Kat Hammond (5)
Full Box Score

Newberry 2, USC Aiken 1 (Game 2)
Mar 10, 2008 at Newberry, S.C.
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USC Aiken........... 000 010 0 -  1  2  2
Newberry............ 000 002 X -  2  0  0
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WP- Katelin Edwards (4-7)  LP- Toni Flessate (3-3)  T-1:30  A-57
HR: USCA – Sheena Blackwell (4)
Full Box Score