April 6, 2005

GAME ONE BOX SCORE

GAME TWO BOX SCORE

RADFORD, Va., – Longwood University split a college softball doubleheader at Radford Wednesday afternoon. The Lancers took the opener 9-8 in nine innings, but fell in the nightcap 3-2. The Lancers improved its record to 21-17 overall, while the Highlanders also improved to 21-17 on the season. Longwood will be back in action this weekend when they host the Lancer Spring Classic Tournament. Also participating in the tournament are East Carolina, Radford and UNC Wilmington. Longwood will play Radford and East Carolina on Saturday, April 9 , at 9:00 a.m., and 3:45 p.m., respectively.

In the opener, Longwood, who was down 4-1, scored three runs in the sixth inning to tie the game up. Freshman Caitlin Hooe/Richmond (Douglas Freeman) scored the first run of the inning on a wild pitch by Radford’s Ashley Taylor. Senior Megan Camden/Bedford (Liberty) then double to right center to score classmates Jen Steele/Manassas Park (Manassas) and Shamana Washington/Rhoadesville (Orange County).

After each team scored three runs in the eighth inning, but the Lancers used a two-run ninth inning to claim the 9-8 victory. With junior Mallory Gordon/Powhatan (Powhatan) on third, freshman Ryan Washington/Bealeton (Liberty) doubled to left center to score the go-ahead run. Hooe added an insurance run when she hit a double of her own to center field to score Ryan Washington. The Highlanders were able to score one run in their half of the ninth, but the Lancers defense buckled down and got out of the inning and earned the come-from-behind victory.

Shamana Washington and Hooe led the Lancer offense. Shamana Washington finished the game going 3-5 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Hooe was 3-4 with one RBI and three runs scored. Steele picked up the victory for Longwood giving up two earned runs on 12 hits, while striking out three and walking one.

In the nightcap, the Highlanders jumped ahead early, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. The Lancers responded with a run in the top of the third to tie the game. Ryan Washington singled to left field and scored Gordon. Radford went back on top in the bottom of the fourth when Michelle Carson scored after a two-out single by Cassie Rhoades.

After a scoreless fifth inning, the Lancers used a one run sixth inning to knot the game at 2-2. With two outs, Hooe singled through the left side and then scored when Shamana Washington hit a clutch double to center field. Radford broke the 2-2 tie and scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh when Ashley Smith doubled home Lara Wohlgemuth.

Hooe again led the Lancers going 2-3 with a run scored, while Shamana Washington was 1-2 with a RBI. Freshman Rachel Mills/Quinton (New Kent County) took the loss for Longwood giving up two earned runs on nine hits, while striking out three and walking one.