March 11, 2006
UCSB Box Score
Detroit Mercy Box Score
HONOLULU, Hawaii -- The Longwood University softball team closed out the Hawaiian Airlines Spring Fling Tournament splitting its final two games today. The Lancers dropped a close 2-1 decision to UC Santa Barbara in eight innings in their first game and then earned a 4-0 victory over Detroit Mercy to close out the tournament. LU, who improved its overall record to 10-11, will be back in action Thursday, March 16 when they play Oklahoma State (6:00 p.m. ET) and host Hawaii (10:00 p.m. ET) at the Hawaii Invitational.
UC Santa Barbara used a one-run, three hit first inning to take the early lead. With Jessica Hejna on second base and Kendra Singley on first base, Tiffany Wright hit a one-out single to drive home Hejna. The Gauchos had an opportunity to increase their lead when they had bases loaded with one out, but the Lancer defense help Longwood get out of a sticky situation. A fielder’s choice hit by Brittany Putich forced Singley out at home for the second out. Sophomore pitcher Rachel Mills/Quinton (New Kent County) ended the inning when she struck out Jennifer Davis.
The Lancers tied the game in the bottom of the second inning on a RBI single by freshman catcher Emily Radford/Tacoma (Fife) that scored senior second baseman Mallory Gordon/Powhatan (Powhatan).
UCSB found a way to break the 1-1 tie in the top of the eighth inning. With Shelby Hensler placed on second base per international tournament rules, Jackie Conlin laid down a sacrifice bunt that moved Hensler to third base. Hensler scored the game-winning run on a ground out to second base hit by Christine Ramos.
Mills, who took the pitching loss for the Lancers, was solid for Longwood. After giving up three hits in the first inning, she gain her composure and only allowed two hits over the final seven innings.
Davis earned the pitching win for UC Santa Barbara, giving up one run on five hits, while striking out 13 and walking none.
Against Detroit Mercy, Longwood used a three-hit, two run second inning to take the lead. Freshman third baseman Kori Bonnor/Round Hill (Loudoun Valley) gave the Lancers the l1-0 edge when she drove home Wilson on a single to the pitcher. LU added its second run when sophomore outfielder Caitlin Hooe/Richmond (Douglas Freeman) cracked a single to left field to score sophomore outfielder Kristina Garrison/Alexandria (Mount Vernon).
Hooe increased the Lancers lead to 3-0 in the top of the fifth when she hit a solo home run to right field; her third home run of the season. She also accounted for Longwood’s fourth run of the game when she crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly hit by sophomore shortstop Ryan Washington/Bealeton (Liberty) in the top of the seventh inning.
Mills earned the pitching shut out for the Lancers, allowing only three hits, while striking out one and walking none.
