Orangeburg, S.C. – The Claflin University softball team fell to Newberry College, 15-3 and 10-4, in their 2018 home-opener. The loss drops the Lady Panthers to 0-4 on the season. This was the season-opener for Newberry who improves to 2-0.
Game one of the double-header belonged solely to Newberry. The Wolves jumped out to 3-1 lead by the bottom of third inning. Newberry then put up six runs in the fourth inning to take a commanding 9-1 lead.
Claflin scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut the lead to six, 9-3.
Kayla Cato led off the inning with a single and
Jasmine Squirewell walked to give the Lady Panthers two runners on the pads with one out.
KaShaira Givens reached on an error by the second baseman that scored Cato and Squirewell.
The Wolves put up six additional runs in the top of the fifth and held Claflin scoreless in its half of the inning for the 12 run five inning win.
Emily Marchbanks was the winning pitcher in game one while
Tiaria Norman was the losing pitcher of record in game one.
Game two was a little more competitive for Claflin. After both teams went scoreless in the first, Newberry put up one run in the top of the second inning.
The Lady Panthers countered with two runs in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Squirewell walked then stole second to give Claflin the tying run in scoring position. Claflin had two RBI singles, one by
Kaela Robinson to score Squirewell and one by
Caitlin Mills which scored Robinson for the go-ahead run.
The Wolves bats came alive in the top of the third, putting up nine runs in the inning to take a 10-2 advantage.
The Lady Panthers got two of the runs back in the bottom of the third.
Neither teams scored in the final four innings for the final 10-4 margin.
Tori Caldwell was the winning pitcher in game two for Newberry while
LaKaylin Lee was the losing pitcher.
Claflin will return to action this Saturday, Feb. 10 when they host Tusculum in a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Adden Street Field in Orangeburg.
