GREENWOOD, S.C. – The nationally 15th ranked Newberry College (8-1) baseball team suffered their first setback of the season as they dropped a 8-1 decision to the Bearcats of Lander University on the road in Greenwood, S.C. on Friday, February 18.
The bats never truly got going for the Scarlet and Gray as they were only able to record six hits over the contest, but there was no lack of scoring opportunities as the Wolves left eight runners stranded on the base paths. Senior Joe LaFiora (Philadelphia, Pa.) was able to recover multiple times over his three-inning start, keeping Newberry in striking distance, but the Wolves struggled to settle in at the relief position allowing Lander to extend their lead.
Newberry didn't get a runner on the bags until the first batter of the second inning while the Bearcats were able to record a run in the bottom of the first to take the early lead. However, Newberry was unable to work that runner any further than first base before Lander added a pair of runs in the bottom of the second to take their lead to 3-0.
The Wolves were finally able to work runners into scoring position in the top of third as they had runners on second and third with two outs. But that's where they would stay as contact off the bat from redshirt-junior Braylin Marine (Freeport, N.Y.) was easily handled by the Bearcats second baseman to end the threat. Lander added another run to the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame.
The Wolves were able to break their scoreless contest in the top of the fifth as they were able to work a run around the bags. A hit batter and a walk put two runners aboard for Newberry before Marine was able to record the lone RBI for the Wolves on the day with a single to centerfield that plated the only run on the night for the Scarlet and Gray.
That would be the last good look that Newberry had over the remaining innings of the contest as they only got one runner aboard over the closing four innings of action while allowing Lander to tally four more runs of their own to wrap up the 8-1 decision.
The two teams will meet on the diamond two more times this weekend as Lander will travel to the friendly confines of the Smith Road Complex for a single game on Saturday, February 18 at 2:00 p.m. before wrapping up the series in Greenwood on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
