NEWBERRY, S.C. – Newberry scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to win Game 2 and split its doubleheader against Mars Hill College in South Atlantic Conference softball action Wednesday afternoon. Sara Powell hit a bloop single to drive in the winning run.

With split the Lady Indians are now 16-11 overall and 2-1 in the SAC while Mars Hill is 30-9 overall and 4-4 in the SAC.

GAME 1: Mars Hill 3, Newberry 1
 Katelin Edwards (Greer, S.C.) had a no-hitter through five innings but was unable to pick up the win after a three-run homerun by Natalie Haithcox with two gone in the top of the sixth.

The Lions started the inning with a single by Anna James. After Edwards picked up a strikeout, Ashley Angell reached on an error, putting runners at first and second. The Lady Indians were one out away from getting out of the inning after Edwards picked up her second strikeout of the inning but the freshman gave up a long shot to Haithcox, the conference leader in home runs, to fall down 3-0.

Newberry managed to score one run in the bottom of the sixth when Amy Jarrell (Dover, Del.) reached on an error and scored as Kat Hammond’s (Irmo, S.C.) pop fly fell between three people. With two outs, Chelsie Hilbourn (Loris, S.C.) came to the plate as the tying run but Hammond was caught off first and was called out after a rundown.

The Lady Indians had several chances early in the game to take the lead as they had a runner in scoring position in the first, the second and the fifth, but each time Newberry was unable to drive in the runner.

Edwards continued her superb pitching but picked up the loss. The freshman went the distance while striking out nine. Edwards allowed no earned runs in the loss as the homerun came after an error and with two outs in the inning.

GAME 2: Newberry 6, Mars Hill 5 (9)
 Sara Powell (Ocean View, Del.) hit a bloop single into left field to score Jarrell as the Lady Indians overcame a blown seventh inning lead to win 6-5 in nine innings.

The Lady Indians took the early lead with two runs off a passed ball and a throwing error by the catcher in the bottom of the second. Both Hilbourn and Jesse Groves (Suwanee, Ga.) scored on the play.

Newberry extended its lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth. Ashley Marine (Peachtree City, Ga.) led the inning off with a double and Jessica Teague (Charlotte, N.C.) followed with a bunt single to the pitcher as the freshman beat out the throw. Tiffany Pigage (Lexington, S.C.) drove Marine in with a sacrifice bunt and Teague scored on a groundout by Jarrell.

The Lions pulled to within one with a three run rally in the top of the fifth. Tiffany Farthing, Haithcox and Tiara Mitchell all scored for Mars Hill.

The Lady Indians appeared to be on the verge of picking up the win in the top of the seventh as Edwards picked up two outs and had the Lions’ Rebekah Huff at a 1-2 count. But Huff drove a shot into center to score Jenny Hoyt and tie the game.

After both teams failed to score in the eighth, the Lions took a 5-4 lead in the ninth off an RBI single to center field by Ashley Seawell.

Down one, the Lady Indians were forced to come up with some offense in the bottom of the ninth. Jarrell reached to leadoff the inning as she attempted to bunt Hayden Kidd (Gaffney, S.C.) over from second, the pitcher attempted to throw out Kidd at third but the freshman beat the throw leaving runners at first and third with no out. Aissa Gatewood (N. Charleston, S.C.) followed Jarrell with an RBI single to tie the game at 5. Gatewood advanced to second on the throw home.

With two on and no outs, Powell managed to end the game as she connected for a single which fell just out of reach of both the left fielder and the shortstop.

Edwards threw 3 2/3 innings of relief to pick up the win.

The Lady Indians return to the field tomorrow as they travel to Greenwood, S.C. to face the Lander Bearcats in doubleheader action. Lander will look for some revenge as Newberry swept the Bearcats when the two teams met in Newberry on February 3. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Mars Hill 3, Newberry 1 (Game 1)
Mar 26, 2008 at Newberry, S.C.
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Mars Hill........... 000 003 0 -  3  3  3
Newberry............ 000 001 0 -  1  3  1
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WP- Tiffany Farthing  (13-3)  LP- Katelin Edwards (7-8)  T-1:26   A-0
HR: MHC – Natalie Haithcox (9)
Full Box Score

Newberry 6, Mars Hill 5 (9) (Game 2)
Mar 26, 2008 at Newberry, S.C.
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Mars Hill........... 000 030 101 -  5 13  3
Newberry............ 020 200 002 -  6  7  1
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WP- Katelin Edwards (8-8)  LP- Paige Brantley (8-3)  T-2:12  A-107
Full Box Score