March 30, 2004
BOX SCORE
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Longwood University registered nine runs off 12 hits in just five innings, as the Lancers rolled past NCAA Division I and Big South Conference opponent Liberty 9-1, in the first game of a scheduled doubleheader, Tuesday afternoon in Lynchburg. The second game was called due to rain and poor field conditions. With the win, Longwood improves to 28-11 overall and will return home this Saturday, April 3, to host Mountain State and Louisburg Junior College for the Lancer Classic.
At Liberty, Longwood jumped out to an early lead, plating three runs in the first inning after junior Jen Steele/Manassas Park (Manassas Park) drew a bases loaded walk to allow classmate Megan Camden/Bedford (Liberty) to score, followed by an two-run single to left field from freshman Abbey Welch/LaPlata, Md. (McDonough), driving in junior Alishia Stewart/Faber (Nelson Co.) and sophomore Shamana Washington/Rhoadesville (Orange Co.).
The second inning saw more of the same, as the Lancers tacked on two more runs to add to their three-run cushion. Washington gave Longwood two more runs in the fifth frame as she connected on her eighth home run of the season with a two-run shot over the wall in left-centerfield, driving in sophomore Mallory Gordon/Powhatan (Powhatan), who previously reached base on an infield single.
Later in the same frame, sophomore Tori Flint/Charlottesville (Albemarle) drove in senior Heather Williams/Brookneal (Appomattox) with a single up the middle, while Camden connected on a double to the gap in left, driving in Flint, giving the Lancers a 9-0 lead. Liberty scored its lone run in the bottom half of the fifth as Cassie Campbell drove in pinch runner Sarah Love with a shot down the third base line; however, Steele was able to halt a bases loaded rally to secure the victory.
Washington paced the 12-hit attack with two hits in three appearances at the plate, including her homer and a single, while Williams and Flint were also both 2-for-3. Steele (13-7) earned the win on the mound, scattering six hits with two strikeouts.
