March 21, 2004

BOX SCORE

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Longwood University – seeded #2 -- shutout fifth-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne 3-0 Sunday afternoon to capture the Spartanburg Softball Tournament title in South Carolina.  During single-elimination play, prior to the championship game, the #2 Lancers defeated #7 Valdosta State, 11-4 and #6 Lander, 11-2 to advance to the championship game.  With the wins, Head Coach Kathy Riley’s squad is now 22-10 on the season.  Longwood will return to action Tuesday, March 23 as it hosts NCAA Division I Hampton at 2 p.m. on Lancer Field.

In the three games played on Sunday, Longwood totaled 25 runs scored and 29 hits.  For their efforts the Lancers were awarded with three All-Tournament Team selections, including the event MVP.  Junior Jen Steele/Manassas Park (Manassas Park) was honored as tournament MVP, while senior Heather Williams/Brookneal (Appomattox) and sophomore Shamana Washington/Rhoadesville (Orange Co.) were also recognized on the All-Tournament Team.

Against #5 Lenoir-Rhyne in the championship game, Longwood scored all the runs it would need in the bottom of the second inning and added a extra cushion run in the fifth frame, en route to the its first tournament title of the season.  Steele paced the Lancers with her perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate, while freshman Abbey Welch/LaPlate, Md. (McDonough) went 1-for-2 with a triple – her second of the season – and two RBI.  Welch (12-4) earned the win, throwing a complete game with six strikeouts.