NEWBERRY, S.C. – Falling on the unfortunate side of a conference series over the past weekend, the No. 17 Newberry College (31-10) baseball team was unable to rebound as they dropped an 9-2 decision to the No. 11 Crusaders of North Greenville at home on Tuesday, April 12.
Though the Wolves made solid contact at the plate throughout the night, they were only able to find a gap in the Crusaders defense on four occasions. Junior Braylin Marine (Freeport, N.Y.) was able to record a pair of hits in the contest while also notching an RBI while sophomore Henry Gibson (Walterboro, S.C.) was able to record the other RBI for the Wolves on the night.
Sophomore Wesley Livingston (Pomaria, S.C.) provided the Wolves with four shutout innings of work out of the bullpen to keep them in the game, only allowing three hits over that stretch. The Wolves sent seven hurlers to the mound throughout the contest, four of which were not charged with a run against them.
Both squads went down in order to start the contest as it looked as though a pitcher's duel would be brewing in the early goings. However, the Crusaders were able to break through the deadlock in the top of the second inning as they posted three runs on the board to take the early lead. A double play in the bottom of the frame brought the Newberry response to a halt before it could start.
Though North Greenville would load the bags in the top of the third, junior Bryce Peterson (Coon Rapids, Minn.) was able to work out of the jam and keep them off the scoreboard. However, the Crusaders were able to further extend their lead in the top of the fifth as they were able to plate five runs in the frame to take the 8-0 advantage. But this time the Wolves were able to respond in kind as they were able to plate two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame.
After and defensive miscue allowed the first runner on the bags for the Scarlet and Gray in the frame, senior Zane Tarrance (Odessa, Fla.) would wear a pitch from the Crusaders hurler to find his way on the base path as well. A double down the right field line by Marine brought around the first run of the inning, leaving Tarrance waiting just 90 feet away from the plate. Gibson would send a deep fly ball to center that would be caught by the defense, but would allow Tarrance to trot the final distance, closing the gap to 8-2.
However, that would be the closest the Wolves would get throughout the remainder of the evening as they would only record a pair of hits over the remaining innings and, even though they were able to load the bags in the eighth inning, they would be unable to add any runs to the board while the Crusaders added one more, giving them the 9-2 win.
The Wolves return to league action this weekend as they welcome in the Indians of Catawba College to the Smith Road Complex. First pitch for the series opener on Friday, April 15 is set for 6:00 p.m.
