Nick Kolsin, Sports Reporter
The UNC Pembroke Braves Softball split the doubleheader series against the Newberry Wolves on Tuesday afternoon. After multiple setbacks due to the weather, the teams were finally able to finish their games late into the night. The Braves move to 7-14 after the series as the Newberry Wolves move to 10-10 on the season.
The Braves got the small ball going in the first inning when Kynley Brewer came around to score after a walk, fielder’s choice and an error by the Wolves to give the Braves an early 1-0 lead. The lead was short last however as the Wolves Hailey Hill homered to left to tie the game.
In the fourth, Newberry struck again with an RBI single up the middle scoring one making it a 2-1 ballgame. That score held until the bottom of the fifth, when MJ Wilkes singled down the third base line bringing home a run and tying the game at 2-2. In the top of the sixth, with a player on first, Maddy Staples rocketed a ball to right that got past the diving fielder, leading to a triple and a run scored. Melanie Carr singled in the next at bat scoring one and making it a 4-2 for the Wolves. The Braves were not able to respond for the rest of the game dropping the first game.
Olivia Chestnut was awarded the win for the Wolves going five innings giving up five hits and two runs while striking out six batters and walking one. Summer Bullard took the loss for the Braves giving up seven hits and four runs while striking out five and walking three in seven innings pitched.
Game 2
Newberry scored their only run of the game on a bases loaded single from Emily Perry in the fourth to give them a 1-0 lead. The Braves responded quickly in the bottom of the inning tying the game off a Kynley Brewer RBI single.
The Braves blew the game open in the bottom of the fifth, scoring three runs on four hits in the inning. Jai Deese homered to left field to start the rally for the braves. Then, after a single and fielder’s choice to get Chloe Locklear to second, Charlotte Rose doubled to center scoring a run and making it 3-1.
The Braves were not done yet, as they were able to score another run on the next at bat on a Mackenzie Collins single giving the Braves a 4-1 lead. The Braves tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth when Brewer scored on a fielder’s choice making it 5-1. The Braves finished sealed things off in the seventh to seal the win.
Kinsley Sheppard claimed the win in the circle for the Braves going seven innings giving up seven hits and one run while striking out seven and walking four in 144 pitches thrown. Lex Glemaker took the loss for the Wolves going four and two-thirds innings giving up nine hits and four runs while striking out four and walking two.
The Braves will travel to Tennessee for a weekend series against a few teams. Starting with a game against Tusculum on Friday at 4 p.m. A double-header against Carson-Newman on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Then they finish with a double-header with Lincoln Memorial on Sunday at 12 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.