WICHITA- The Newman softball team was swept in the first two games of its series against St. Mary's at Newman Softball Field, 14-1 and 8-0 on Friday.

Game 1:

St. Mary's (26-16, 8-2 Heartland) didn't waste any time scoring runs in the first game of the doubleheader. The Rattlers plated four runs off of a Jared Gonzalez grand slam to go up 4-0. St. Mary's bit again in the third when they scored nine runs on the Newman (3-26, 1-9 Heartland) defense and took a commanding 13-0 lead. 

The Jets scored their only run in the third when Sarah Balderas singled down the right field line with two outs, and advanced to second on a Briana Hallacy walk. Steph Harshberger's single scored Balderas to cut the deficit to 13-1.  St. Mary's used a fifth inning home run to keep the run rule in effect, and won the game, 14-1.

Harshberger and Balderas led the Jet offense, batting 3-for-3 and 2-for-2, respectively.

Game 2:

St. Mary's (27-16, 9-2 Heartland) started hot out of the gate, plating its first run in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Following a scoreless second inning by the two teams, the Rattlers plated two more runs, and took a 3-0 advantage.

 Newman (3-27, 1-10 Heartland) threatened in the fourth and fifth with doubles by Steph Harshberger and Erin Carney, but the rest of the Jet offense couldn't follow suit. St. Mary's added single runs in the fourth and the seventh innings, as well as a three-run outburst in the sixth to win the game, 8-0.

Steph Harshberger led Newman once again at the plate, batting 1-for-2 with a walk.

Saturday's finale is scheduled for an 11 a.m. first pitch, barring any setbacks from the anticipated severe weather that is scheduled to hit Wichita.

--www.newmanjets.com--