ESPN 98.1 FM – 850 AM WRUF ESPN 98.1 FM – 850 AM WRUF
By Adam Edelin and Brooke Park
NEWBERRY — The Newberry Panthers softball team honored three seniors Thursday. All three played a key role in the Panthers’ 8-4 win against the Dixie County Bears.
Senior Spotlight
Newberry’s Slow Start
After a couple of steals paired with a double to deep center by Dixie County’s Mattie Cobb, Newberry (16-3) fell behind 2-0 in the top of the first.
Bears pitcher Jaidyn Wilkerson started the game by striking out the first two batters in Newberry’s lineup. Panther senior Hollie Pabst prevented the 1-2-3 inning with a homer to dead-center, her fourth of the year.
Senior Hollie Pabst starts her senior night off with a bang with a home run in her first at bat. Panthers still trail the Bears 2-1. There are two outs in the bottom of the first. @ESPNGainesville #newberrypanthers #dixiecountybears #newberrysoftball #dixiecountysoftball pic.twitter.com/1Vrg4IZkmm
— Hannah Getman (@hannahgetman) April 18, 2024
Pabst’s solo shot, however, did not spark the bats for Newberry, which only scored one run through three innings.
Fourth-Inning Rally
Dixie County (3-14) led 3-1 in the top of the fourth, but the Panthers rallied to score four runs in the home half of the inning for a 5-3 lead. After two quick outs to start the inning, a pair of walks set the stage for sophomore Korilynn Crudup’s two-run double.
A dropped popup in right field later in the inning scored two more runs for Newberry.
Newberry scores two more on an error to left field. It now leads 5-3 with two outs in the fourth.@ESPNGainesville #newberrypanthers #dixiecountybears #newberrysoftball #dixiecountysoftball pic.twitter.com/gvHOJTIK44
— Hannah Getman (@hannahgetman) April 18, 2024
Another Victory
Newberry found its groove, allowing just one more run the rest of the game.
Newberry scored three more runs on four hits in the sixth inning to settle the final score at 8-4.
Newberry gets the win on senior night 8-4 over Dixie County. @ESPNGainesville #newberrypanthers #dixiecountybears #newberrysoftball #dixiecountysoftball pic.twitter.com/BFyoaPi8OL
— Hannah Getman (@hannahgetman) April 19, 2024
Up Next
Newberry plays what could be its toughest game of the season Monday at the Trenton Tigers (16-2). Dixie County will look to bounce back against Crystal River (16-5) at 7 p.m. Monday in Cross City.
