CENTRAL, SC — The Newberry baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Southern Wesleyan on Tuesday afternoon at Connor Field. The Wolves dropped the opener 14–4 but bounced back in game two with an 11–3 victory, powered by an explosive offensive performance and strong pitching.
Game 1: Southern Wesleyan 14, Newberry 4
Newberry jumped out to an early lead but Southern Wesleyan used a big middle inning to pull away as the Wolves fell 14–4 in the opening game of Tuesday's doubleheader at Connor Field. The Wolves struck first with two runs in the top of the first inning before adding two more in the fourth to take a 4–1 lead midway through the game.
Keillor Osbon and Finn McLaughlin paced the Newberry offense with three hits apiece, while Luke Compton, Logan Busenlehner, John Allen Forrester, Parker Mergo, and Jomar Lugo each added hits as the Wolves totaled 11 hits in the contest.
On the mound, Anthony Plotkin got the start and turned in a solid outing, allowing one run on two hits over four innings while striking out two.
Southern Wesleyan responded in the later innings, capitalizing on scoring opportunities to take control and secure the win in the first game of the doubleheader.
Game 2: Newberry 11, Southern Wesleyan 3
Newberry responded in the nightcap with an 11–3 victory, using a fast start and consistent offense to earn the split. The Wolves plated five runs in the first inning and added another in the second before breaking the game open with five more runs in the fourth to build an 11–0 lead.
Cooper Raines led the offense with a 4-for-4 performance, including a home run, two runs scored, and two RBIs. Campbell McCurry drove in three runs with a key double, while Bryson Nuckols added a double and two RBIs.
Luke Compton recorded two hits and scored twice, while Nick Foster added an RBI and two runs scored as Newberry finished with 11 hits.
On the mound, Josh Bandy earned the win after tossing four scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out two before the bullpen closed out the victory.
The Wolves will return to SAC play this weekend when they visit Tusculum for a three-game series starting on Friday at 6pm.
