Hickory, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Softball Team (42-5, 19-1 SAC), ranked No. 7 in NCAA Division II, wrapped up South Atlantic Conference Regular Season play with a doubleheader sweep of Newberry (28-18, 9-9), 11-0 and 6-3, Wednesday afternoon at Bears Field. The Bears ran their winning streak to 16 games in the process.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 11, Newberry 0; Lenoir-Rhyne 6, Newberry 3
Records: No. 7 Lenoir-Rhyne (42-5, 19-1 SAC), Newberry (28-18, 9-9 SAC)
Location: Bears Field | Hickory, N.C.
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STATS OF THE GAME (Game 1):
• Lenoir-Rhyne senior catcher
Mackenzie Cates (Efland, N.C.) hit a three-run home run and finished with four runs batted in as the Bears run-ruled the Wolves. The round-tripper was Cates' team-leading 12th of the season.
• Lenoir-Rhyne junior
Brandi Parks (Roaring River, N.C.) won her 15th straight decision after notching her sixth shutout of the year. Parks pitched a four-hitter while Emily Marchbanks (Sweet Home, Ore.) fell to 10-5 after taking the loss.
STATS OF THE GAME (Game 2):
• Lenoir-Rhyne junior outfielder
Erin Boone (Creedmoor, N.C.) broke a three-all tie with the game-winning, three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Bears rallied from a 3-2 deficit to take the sweep.
• LR freshman outfielder
Savannah Moorefield (Claudville, Va.) finished with four hits while senior second baseman
Madison Poe (Siler City, N.C.) added two run-scoring doubles for the Bears in the win. LR junior
Emily Kenley (Charlotte, N.C.) improved to 21-2 on the year after notching the victory.
• For Newberry, Haley Simonds (Pasadena, Md.) hit a two-run home run while Alyssa Ball (Magnolia, Del.) fell to 11-10 after taking the loss.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• Lenoir-Rhyne is ranked second in the first NCAA Division II Southeast Regional rankings of the year. The top eight squads earn a berth to postseason play.
• LR is 22-0 at home this year and has won 40 of its past 42 contests. Lenoir-Rhyne has already won its 12th SAC Regular Season Championship this spring.
UP NEXT:
Lenoir-Rhyne steps out of conference play to take on King (Tenn.) in a regional doubleheader on Friday beginning at 2:00 p.m., in Bristol, Tenn. Newberry takes on Anderson in a league doubleheader on Saturday beginning at Noon in Anderson, S.C.
