April 10, 2004

WEST LIBERTY BOX SCORE

WEST VIRGINIA STATE BOX SCORE

SALEM, Va. – Longwood University claimed its second softball tournament title this season Saturday afternoon, after going unbeaten (6-0) at the West Virginia Wesleyan Tournament in nearby Salem. The Lancers, seeded #1, defeated #3 West Liberty 5-0 before shutting out #4 West Virginia State 12-0 in the championship. Longwood has now won 16 of its last 17 games played, including eight-straight and are now 35-11 on the season. The Lancers are scheduled to return to action Wednesday, April 14, as they travel east to take on NCAA Division I Norfolk State. The doubleheader is set to being at 3 p.m.

Longwood outscored its opponents by a combined 53-5 during the event. For their efforts, four Lancers were named to the All-Tournament Team, including sophomore Shamana Washington/Rhoadesville (Orange Co.), junior Jen Steele/Manassas Park (Manassas Park), along with freshman Abbey Welch/LaPlata, Md. (McDonough) and Courtney "Pepper" Wilson/Mechanicsville (Lee-Davis).

Against #3 West Liberty, Longwood jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage after one inning of competition and never looked back. The Lancers added an insurance run in the third and two more in the fifth, securing their place in the championship game. Washington led Longwood at the plate, going 2-3 with a home run, a double and three RBI, while Welch and Wilson each went 2-3. Steele (17-7) earned the win on the mound, hurling a complete-game with four strikeouts.

Against #4 West Virginia State in the championship, Washington hit her third home run of the tournament – a two-run shot -- and Steele hit a grand slam, leading the Lancers to the definitive win. Washington closed out the contest a perfect 4-4 at the plate, including five RBI, while Steele was 2-4 with five RBI. Welch (18-4) earned the win, scattering three hits and throwing six strikeouts.