WICHITA- The Newman softball team earned its first sweep of the season, when they defeated William Jewell, 2-1 & 1-0 on Thursday at Newman Softball Field. 

Game 1:

The first game of the doubleheader started rough for Newman (4-28) when Faith Song hit a lead-off home run for William Jewell (21-21). The Jets clawed back half an inning later when Briana Hallacy led off the frame with a single. Steph Harshberger's walk advanced Hallacy to second, and Kelsey Jones' single scored Hallacy to tie the game at 1-1. 

After holding the Cardinals scoreless in the second, Newman scored what ended up being the game winning run in the bottom half of the inning. Erin Carney led off with a single, and advanced to second on Sarah Balderas' ground out to third, Carney stole third on Kaitlyn Padilla's at-bat, and scored when Padilla slapped a single up the middle.

That would be all starter Sarah Fipps needed, as the sophomore scattered five hits in a complete game effort. The Noble, Okla. native struck out four batters in the 2-1 victory. Briana Hallacy led the Jet offense, batting 3-for-4 in the game.

Game 2:

The finale of the doubleheader saw a pitcher's dual from the get go.  Both teams threw freshmen, who got plenty of help from their defense. Only one pitcher made a mistake that turned out to be crucial. In the bottom of the first,  Kelsey Jones took a Faith Song pitch over the center field wall to give Newman (5-28) a 1-0 lead.

Peyton Riedel pitched four strong innings, giving up four hits, before being relieved by senior Stephanie Smolsky and sophomore Sarah Fipps. After Smolsky pitched the fifth inning, Fipps subbed in, and completed the two inning save. The pitching staff got out of several jams, as William Jewell (21-22) left 11 batters on base, en route to the 1-0 win.

The Jets will try to use their momentum this weekend when Oklahoma Panhandle State visits Newman Softball Field for a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Friday.