Lady Eagles split SAC doubleheder at Newberry

NEWBERRY, S.C. – The Newberry softball team picked up its first South Atlantic Conference victory of the season as the Wolves topped Carson-Newman 2-1 in the second game of a doubleheader. The Eagles were victorious in game one, defeating the Wolves 5-1.

Newberry's record moves to 15-20 overall and 1-11 in conference, while Carson-Newman moves to 23-17 overall and 5-7 in conference. The Wolves see action on April 6 in Harrogate, Tenn., where Newberry meets Lincoln Memorial. Carson-Newman returns home on April 3 for a non-conference meeting with USC Aiken.

Game One: Carson-Newman 5, Newberry 1

Newberry junior Ashley Roof (Columbia, S.C.) led the Wolves with a hit and a RBI, while Carson-Newman senior Cassidy Skeen (Powell, Tenn.) finished the opening game 2-4 at the plate, with three runs scored and a stolen base.

Skeen opened the game by reaching on an error before stealing second and moving to third on a sacrifice bunt. A ground out by junior Bri Shoemake (Ooltewah, Tenn.) scored the opening run of the afternoon.

The Wolves struck in the second when with one out sophomore Shelby Holland (Charlotte, N.C.) reached safely on an infield single. A fielder's choice saw sophomore Paige Brugh (Indian Land, S.C.) advance to first base with two outs. A double to the fence in right center scored the Wolves lone run of the opening game.

Carson-Newman scored again in the third as junior Cassie Elliott (Johnson City, Tenn.) walked and moved to second on a bunt single by senior Kim Whaley (Maryville, Tenn.). With two runners on and no outs another bunt single saw Skeen reach first safely. As Newberry catcher Lindsey Workman (Aiken, S.C.) overthrew third base Elliot was able to score and both Skeen and Whaley advanced a base.

With two on and no outs, a single up the middle by Shoemake scored a pair of runs for Carson-Newman as the Eagles took a 4-1 lead.

The final run of game one came in the top of the fifth as Skeen led off the frame with a triple to right center. A single by freshman Shelby Robertson (Ringgold, Ga.) helped secure a 5-1 lead for the visiting Eagles.

Newberry starting pitcher Caitlyn Smith (Palm Harbor, Fla.) struck out five in four innings, while Carson-Newman senior Mary Shealy (Clinton, S.C.) allowed only four hits as she picked up her 23rd victory of the season.

Game Two: Newberry 2, Carson-Newman 1

Newberry sophomore Jennifer Yancey's (Dunwoody, Ga.) two-run homer in the first inning was all the scoring Newberry needed as the Wolves picked up their first SAC victory of 2012.

The first inning for the Wolves began when with one out junior Tasia Diaz (Dowagiac, Mich.) singled down the leftfield line. After working the count to 2-2, Yancey hammered her third homer of the season giving Newberry a 2-0 lead.

The Wolves fought out of a couple of Carson-Newman threats before in the fifth inning, the Eagles were able to break through. Skeen started the frame off with a bunt single and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Robertson. A double to left center by Shoemake scored Skeen, before another Carson-Newman base hit led to a Newberry pitching change.

After Newberry junior Shelley Jeffcoat (Lexington, S.C.) was replaced by sophomore Hailey Harris (Rougemont, N.C.) the Eagles loaded the bases. Harris escaped from a jam as Carson-Newman freshman Bethany Davis (Nicholasville, Ky.) popped up for the third out of the inning.

The Eagles threatened in both the sixth and seventh innings, but a combination of pitchers Harris and Smith stranded a pair of Carson-Newman runners in both innings.

Three Eagles recorded two hits each, while Shealy again held the Wolves to four hits. In the circle, Jeffcoat recorded her fourth victory of the season; while in a relief effort Smith picked up her first career save.