NEWBERRY, S.C. - Newberry College's comeback effort fell short as the Lady Indians lost to Catawba College, 7-5, in the 2008 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Softball Championships Friday morning.

Newberry scored three runs in the final two innings but could not overcome the 7-2 deficit.

The Lady Indians got on the board first with two runs in the top of the first inning. Sara Powell (Ocean View, Del.) hit a single up the middle and Ashley Marine (Peachtree City, Ga.) walked before Chelsie Hilbourn (Loris, S.C.) hit a hard double into the left-center gap to score two runs.

Cataba did not let the lead last long though as the Catawba Indians scored five runs in the bottom of the second to take a 5-2 lead. After Newberry picked up two quick outs, Catawba put together a five-run rally with the help of three Newberry errors.

Jessie Whitesides walked and Callie Gordy singled to right center, putting two runners on for leadoff hitter Cassie Markham. Markham connected for a single to left center and advanced to second on a fielding error by Amy Jarrell (Dover, Del.) Both Whitesides and Gordy scored to tie the game at 2-2.

Kathryn Geouge followed the Markham single with a walk before Jacqueline White singled to right field and advanced to second on a fielding error by Jarrell. Markham scored on the play and both Geouge and White soon followed as Kat Hammond threw the ball into the dugout at the end of the play for a two-base error.

In the bottom of the fourth the Catawba Indians added to their lead as Markham singled up the middle and Geouge walked before Allie Marshall drove them both in with an RBI double.

Down 7-2, the Lady Indians began to show some life in the top of the sixth inning. Richelle Mirabal (Tampa, Fla.) singled and McKenzie Phillips (Wallace, N.C.) reached on an error by the third baseman giving Newberry two runners on with two outs. Chelsea Chipoletti (Brooksville, Fla.) then hit an RBI single to score Mirabal and Aissa Gatewood (N. Charleston, S.C.) followed with an RBI single herself to score Phillips.

Sara Powell then came to the plate as the tying run, but the First Team All-South Atlantic Conference member could not continue the rally as she grounded out to the pitcher.

Hammond started the seventh inning off with a bang as the junior hit her ninth homerun of the year deep over the left field fence. The homerun pulled Newberry to within 7-5.

That was as close as the Lady Indians would get though as Hilbourn popped up and Mirabal lined into a double play to end the game.

Meghan Cobb got the win for the Catawba Indians as the freshman went the distance and allowed just three earned runs.

Hicks fell to 7-7 on the year as the sophomore was charged with the loss. Hicks went the full seven innings and struck out five, but she was unable to overcome the three Newberry errors.

Catawba will now advance to face No. 4 Lincoln Memorial University in the second round of the consolation bracket at 2 p.m. today. The Catawba Indians split with LMU just eight days ago, losing Game One by a score of 5-2 before winning Game Two, 16-11.

Catawba 7, Newberry 5 (Apr 18, 2008 at Newberry S.C.) (Game 5)
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Newberry............ 200 002 1 - 5 8 3
Catawba............. 050 200 X - 7 8 2
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Win-Meghan Cobb (15-14) Loss- Kristen Hicks (7-7)
HR: New: Kat Hammond (9)
T-1:43
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