GREENVILLE, Tenn. – The Newberry bats came alive in the first game Saturday afternoon, but they were unable to complete the sweep, as they split with Tusculum. Newberry is now 19-14 on the season, with a 10-12 record in conference action.
Game One: Simonds homers twice as Wolves blast Pioneers
Both teams posted runs in the first, with Newberry scoring two times in the top of the inning.
Paige Meyer started the game off by reaching via an error that was charged to the first baseman. Barneycastle then grounded out to the pitcher, allowing Meyer to advance to second. After a popout to shortstop,
Haley Simonds hit a home run to left-center field, making it 2-0 Wolves. Tusculum would respond with three runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead.
After a couple of scoreless innings, Newberry was able to tie the game in the top of the fourth. The first two batters of the inning reached base, with
Hailey Hill being hit by a pitch and
Tori Rose singling into left field.
Reagan Glanz reached on a fielder's choice, putting a pair of runners on base. Meyer then singled to load the bases for Barneycastle, who singled into left field, bringing in Rose and tying the game. The Wolves were unable to capitalize any further, as the Pioneers got a fielder's choice to end the inning.
The Wolves took their second lead of the game in the fifth, scoring three times on four hits, including a two-RBI triple from Glanz, a double from Towery and singles from Hill and
Tedi Nunn. The triple from Glanz was the key moment, as she ripped the ball down the right field line, allowing Hill and Nunn to score and pushing Newberry to a 7-4 lead.
Alexandrea Sullivan would then set the Pioneers down in order in the bottom of the inning. Simonds hit her second home run of the game in the sixth before the Wolves collected three insurance runs in the seventh.
The inning started with two quick outs, then Glanz hit a infield single. After
Vanessa Wilson entered as a pinch runner, Meyer singled to the shortstop, before advancing on a throwing error to bring in Wilson. Barneycastle then singled into left field, allowing Meyer to score.
Mallena Wright then singled to put two runners on for Simonds, who singled into left field, scoring Barneycastle and giving Newberry an insurmountable 10-4 lead.
Game Two: Pioneers hold Newberry offense, salvage split
The Pioneers took an early lead on a second inning home run and an RBI groundout in the fourth. They were up 2-0 in the fifth when Newberry scratched across a run. Simonds got things started by getting hit by a pitch, then was replaced by Patterson. She stole second before Towery was also hit by a pitch, putting runners on for Hill. She hit a single up the middle, scoring Patterson and moving
Emma Price, who entered as a pinch runner, to third base. Hill then took second on the throw. Despite having two runners in scoring position, the Wolves were unable to do any more damage. Tusculum would proceed to score three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 5-2 lead.
The Wolves got a pair of baserunners in the seventh, with Towery and Hill being hit by pitches, but Newberry couldn't muster any runs, as the game came to an end on a flyout to center field. Six different Wolves recorded hits, with Hill gathering the lone RBI for Newberry.
Alyssa Ball threw five innings for Newberry, recording a pair of strikeouts.
Kasey Widmyer threw one scoreless inning, allowing a hit but no runs.
Inside the Boxscore
- Towery extended her team lead in home runs, having jacked 12 this season. Simonds has eight on the season, with 31 RBI. Barneycastle and Towery are both batting over .400, with Barneycastle sitting at .413 on the season.
- Barneycastle is now riding a seven-game hit streak, her second-longest of the season. Other notable hit streaks for the Wolves include Meyer (6) and Hill (4). Meyer also has a 10-game reached base streak, which is her longest of the season and the fourth-longest on the team.
- The 17 hits that Newberry recorded in the first game is their most in a single game this season. It was the ninth time that they recorded double-digit hits.
Up Next
The Wolves will close out the regular season Monday afternoon when they host Lenoir-Rhyne in what could end up being a key doubleheader with respect to the conference tournament. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Smith Road Complex.
