NEWBERRY, S.C. -- It was a mixed bag of emotions on Thursday for the Newberry softball team, as they opened the day with a 9-0 win over Queens University of Charlotte before dropping an extra-inning heartbreaker to the Royals in the nightcap. 

Game One: Offensive explosion powers Wolves to run-rule win
The Newberry offense was on full display in the first game, putting nine runs on the scoreboard while compiling 10 hits and holding the Royals to three hits. The Wolves didn't wait long to get started, as Paige Meyer led off with a single up the middle, advancing to second when McKenzie Barneycastle hit a infield single. After Queens recorded an out and a wild pitch put runners on second and third, Haley Simonds stepped up to the plate and ripped the fourth pitch of the at-bat over the right-center field fence, putting the Wolves up 3-0. They scratched another run across in the second, after Tedi Nunn led off by being hit by a pitch and stole second. She advanced to third on a groundout before scoring on a single off the bat of Barneycastle, making it a 4-0 lead.

Simonds led off the third inning and blasted her second home run of the game, with this one clearing the scoreboard in left-center field, pushing the lead to 5-0. The final blow came in the bottom of the fourth when Newberry loaded the bases for Hailey Hill, who ripped the third pitch she saw down the left field line, curling it just inside the foul pole for her second grand slam of the season. In the top of the fifth Queens was able to load the bases, but Newberry starter Alyssa Ball recorded a clutch strikeout to end the game, clinching her second win of the season.

Game Two: Wolves suffer first home loss of season in extras
The second game was a pitcher's dual, as neither team was able to scratch across a run in regulation, forcing the game to go to extra innings. The Royals struck first in the top of the eighth, scoring a run on a hit while leaving a pair of runners on base. Newberry came to the plate in the bottom of the inning and responded, as Barneycastle scored off a wild pitch. The Wolves were unable to end the game despite loading the bases, sending the game to the ninth.

It was in the ninth that the Queens offense came alive, putting three runs on the board to take a 4-1 lead. Vanessa Wilson started the inning on second by virtue of the International Tiebreaker. After Nunn got on base on a throwing error, Tori Rose walked to load the bases. The Wolves were able to get one run across when Barneycastle hit a sacrifice fly to center field, which allowed Wilson to score. Unfortunately the Royals were able to throw out Nunn at second, recording the third out and ending the game.

Inside the Boxscore

• The loss in game two was assessed to Alexandrea Sullivan. It is her first loss of the season. She threw a complete-game for the Wolves, allowing two earned runs on seven hits while recording 11 strikeouts, a new season-high for her. 
• Simonds had a pair of home runs in game one, giving her four on the season. She is second on the team in long balls, behind Hannah Towery, who has gone deep six times this season. Barneycastle is leading the team in batting, with a .463 batting average. She is one of three Wolves batting above .400, with Simonds at .455 and Towery sitting at a .421 average.

Up Next
The Wolves will be off until March 9, when they travel to Wise, Va. to take on UVA Wise in a conference matchup. Game times are yet to be announced. They will be posted to newberrywolves.com as soon as they are available.