PEMBROKE – Visiting Lander struck for five runs in the later innings to help support a solid outing from Hannah Newton and help the Bearcats turn back the UNC Pembroke softball team, 5-0, in the series opener on Saturday afternoon at LRA Field.

Taylor Gerhart doubled twice on a 2-for-3 showing for UNCP (8-4, 0-1 PBC), while Whitney Jackson walked and singled on a 1-for-2 hitting line. Dariean Ward and Rachel Webster both homered for Lander (3-2, 1-0) who snapped a three-game series skid with the triumph.

Selena Ashley (5-2) was tagged with the loss for the Braves after yielding five runs (three earned) on as many hits and a pair of walks over her sixth complete game of the season. She also struck out five. Newton (2-1) struck out five and allowed just three hits to grab the win for the Bearcats.

Casey Kent broke up Ashley's no-hit bid with a leadoff single in the fifth, and the Bearcats took the lead for good on a Melanie Davis RBI double two batters later. Destiny Clyde's sac fly later in the inning would extend the visitor lead out to 2-0.

Ward led off the sixth with a towering home run to left field, and Webster completed the scoring on a 2-run shot to centerfield three batters later.