Newberry Sweeps Lady Cobras in Softball Double-header

by Christian Stryker, SID Coker College
2/17/2009

Hartsville, S.C. - Newberry College's dominate pitching kept the Coker hitters off balance all day, as Newberry sweep the Lady Cobras with scores of 7-2 and 9-2 in their non-conference double-header on Tuesday afternoon.

The wins keep Newberry's unbeaten streak alive and moves them to 6-0, while Coker falls to 4-5.

Game One
Newberry exploded for five runs on seven hits in the top of the fourth inning, taking a 5-2 lead on their way to a 7-2 win over Coker in the first game of their double-header. Coker had their fair share of chances to cut into the Newberry lead, stranding nine runners throughout the day, including having bases loaded with no outs twice in the final three innings, but Newberry battled their way out of the jam each time.

Shelly Catlett (Orangeburg, SC) (2-2) took the loss for Coker, allowing five runs on nine hits with four strikeouts in five innings of work, while Newberry's Kristen Hicks earned the win, allowing just two runs on three hits with five strikeouts on the day.

At the plate, Anna Oswald (Lexington, SC) had a hit and an RBI, while Whitney Wallett (Shermans Dale, PA), Becky Dillon (West Palm Beach, FL) and Haleigh Rogers (Ward, SC) each had a hit for the Lady Cobras.

For Newberry, Amy Jarrell was 2-for-3 with three RBIs, and Tiffany Pigage was 1-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Aissa Gatewood, Whitney Wiles and Kat Hammond each had two hits on the day for Newberry, with Sara Powell collecting a hit and an RBI as well.

Game Two
Newberry wasted no time getting the offense going, as they plated three runs in the first inning followed by another two in the second inning. Coker managed to get one run back in the bottom of the second, but Newberry tacked on another run in the fourth for a 6-1 lead.

Wallett gave Coker their second run of the game with a solo homer in the sixth, but a three run seven by Newberry put the game out of reach. The Lady Cobras were not without their chances again in game two, as they stranded 14 runners.

Dillon (0-1) took the loss for Coker allowing five runs on seven hits in three innings of work, while Amanda Huckestein earned the win, tossing a complete game allowing just two runs on eight hits with nine strike outs.

Wallett led the Lady Cobra offense, with a pair of hits, including a home run and an RBI, while Rogers also had two hits and an RBI and Miranda Klees (Murrells Inlet, SC) picked up a pair of hits.

For Newberry, Hammond was 3-for-4 with a homerun, four RBIs and a run scored, while Huckestein was also 3-for-4 with an RBI. Gatewood, Jarrell and Stephanie Blazer each picked up a pair of hits for Newberry as well.

Coker returns to action on Saturday, as they open Conference Carolinas play by traveling to Belmont Abbey for a double-header starting at 1:00 p.m.