February 28, 2006
FURMAN GAME 1FURMAN GAME 2FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University swept a college softball doubleheader against visiting Furman University Tuesday at Lancer Field. The Lancers earned a 2-0 victory in the opener and then took a 7-6 decision in the nightcap. LU has won five-straight and now holds a 5-5 record, while the Paladins dropped to 5-8 on the season. Longwood will be back in action March 3-5 when it partakes in the ECU Tournament in Greenville, N.C. The Lancers will face-off against Saint Francis (9 a.m.) and Fairfield (1:30 p.m.) on Friday, March 3 and Binghamton (9 a.m.) and Delaware (1 p.m.) on Saturday, March 4.
It was a pitcher’s duel in the first game against the Paladins, as Longwood sophomore pitcher Rachel Mills/Quinton (New Kent County) allowed only one hit over the first three innings and Furman pitcher Vanessa Williams allowed only two over the same span.
The Lancers finally got the best of Williams in the bottom of the fourth inning scoring one run to take the lead. Sophomore shortstop Ryan Washington/Bealeton (Liberty) began the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior outfielder Shamana Washington/Rhoadesville (Orange County). Ryan Washington then made it to third on a passed ball and scored after junior catcher/outfielder Pepper Wilson/Mechanicsville (Lee-Davis) cracked single to left field.
Longwood added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth when freshman third baseman Kori Bonnor/Round Hill (Loudoun Valley) crossed home plate after Ryan Washington singled to right field.
Mills earned her fourth-straight victory, giving up four hits, while striking out two in seven innings of work.
Williams took the pitching loss, giving up two runs, on seven hits, while striking out three and walking one in five innings of action.
In the nightcap, the Lancers jumped out on top quickly, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Ryan Washington, who was hit by a pitch, stole second and third base, and then scored on a single by Shamana Washington. Wilson drove home Shamana Washington with a double to center field. Senior first baseman Victoria Masters/Lake City, Fla. (Thomas University-Ga.) followed with a double of her own to score Wilson.
Furman cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the third on a two RBI single to right field by Amber Nelson that scored Stephanie Cushing and Joni Lockridge.
The Lancers put some distance between themselves and the Paladins with a two-run third and a two-run fourth inning. The highlight of the third inning was a solo home run to center field by Masters, while sophomore outfielder Caitlin Hooe/Richmond (Douglas Freeman) cracked a two-run home run to left field in the fourth inning to increase LU’s lead to 7-2.
Furman did not fold as it scored four runs in the top of the seventh to put a scare in Longwood. The Paladins had the tying run on third with one out, but senior pitcher Tori Flint/Charlottesville (Albemarle County) got both Abby Robertson and Williams to fly out to left field to end the game.
Mills again earned the victory, giving up two runs on five hits, while striking out one in three innings of action.
