NEWBERRY, S.C. --- The Tusculum College women's team defeated Newberry College 8-1 Saturday afternoon as the Pioneers claimed a share of the 2010 South Atlantic Conference championship.

Tusculum (16-2, 7-1 SAC) claims its second straight conference title and the program's fifth SAC championship in the last nine years (2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010).

The Pioneers have won 10 of its last 11 matches overall, while going 19-1 in league contests since 2008. Newberry falls to 1-12 on the year (0-7 SAC)

Tusculum swept all three doubles points, including an 8-6 pro set win by the No. 1 pairing of Caroline Crowe and Katelyn Doss over the Newberry duo of Autise Mortimer and Stephanie Matthews.

Mortimer accounted for Newberry's lone point with a 7-5, 6-2 decision over Doss at No. 1 singles.

TC's Taylor Patterson answered with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Amanda Simmons at No. 2 singles, while Crowe posted a straight-set victory (6-3, 6-0) over Rebekah Crouch at the third flight.

Megan Buckmaster, Katie Hillis and Kristen Keefer closed out the match with singles wins to provide the final margin of victory.

Tusculum will close out the regular season on Sunday as the Pioneers host Lander University for a 1 p.m. match at the Nichols Tennis Complex. It will be the final home match for Crowe, who is the lone senior on this year's squad.

- TC -