NEWBERRY — The Newberry softball team used a walk-off winner in game one before run-ruling Francis Marion in game two as the Wolves swept the Patriots on Tuesday afternoon at the Smith Road Complex.

The opener saved the fireworks for the final three innings as Newberry (6-2) scored all five of its runs in the final three frames including three in the bottom of the seventh.

With Francis Marion (6-4) leading 4-2, Haley Simonds started Newberry’s half of the seventh by drawing a walk on five pitches. She was then lifted for pinch runner Tori Caldwell who advanced to second on a passed ball. Haliey Drawe smacked a frozen rope triple to left center, scoring Caldwell. Haley Wildes hit her first pitch into right field to score Drawe and tie the contest at 4-4.

Allison Van Atta sacrificed Wildes to second base. Morgan Sweeny came up to the plate with the winning run in scoring position. Sweeny hit a hard-hit ball towards the second baseman that was deep enough to score Wildes and give Newberry a thrilling 5-4 walk-off win.

Newberry scored five runs on just six hits. Sydney Holland allowed no hits through four innings for Francis Marion. Wildes led the Wolves with two hits and two RBIs. Rachel Marion, Drawe and Sweeney all notched RBIs.

Devon Morrison moved to 4-1 after tossing a complete game for Newberry. She allowed three earned runs and struck out eight.

Sam Chiudina led the Patriots with three hits and two RBIs. Holland took the loss in the circle, notching 10 strikeouts.

Newberry grabbed a quick 2-0 lead in the nightcap before exploding for six runs in the bottom of the sixth to run-rule Francis Marion by a score of 8-0.

The Wolves loaded the bases in the first inning and Myranda Dills hit a sacrifice fly to right field, plating Natalie Willis. Drawe followed her at-bat with a single to right, scoring Wildes and giving the Wolves a 2-0 advantage.

Neither team would be able to score until the bottom of the sixth, when Newberry pounded out six runs on three hits and two errors for the 8-0 victory in six innings.

Christina Linton, Willis and Drawe recorded two hits apiece in the nightcap for Newberry. Drawe also collected three RBIs and a walk.

Emily Marchbanks allowed just three hits in 6.0 innings pitched for her second victory of the season.

Samantha Wroblewski was dealt the loss after allowing four hits and two runs. Three Patriots collected hits in game two.

The Wolves are back in action on Saturday against USC Aiken (2-0). The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at the Smith Road Complex.

The Newberry softball team used a walk-off winner in game one before run-ruling Francis Marion in game two, sweeping the Patriots on Tuesday at the Smith Road Complex.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Softball-pic.jpgThe Newberry softball team used a walk-off winner in game one before run-ruling Francis Marion in game two, sweeping the Patriots on Tuesday at the Smith Road Complex. Courtesy photo

Staff Report