March 25, 2006

Howard Box Score

Radford Box Score

RADFORD, Va. – The Longwood University softball team split two games at the Highlander Tournament hosted by Radford University today. The Lancers began the day defeating Howard University 8-0 in five innings, and then fell to host Radford 5-2 in the nightcap. LU will close out the tournament tomorrow, March 26 when it faces off against Georgetown at 10:00 a.m.. Longwood will also play at Noon in either the championship or consolation contest.

Against the Bison of Howard, Longwood scored two runs in both the first and second innings and four runs in the third inning to secure the 8-0 victory.

With one out in the bottom of the first and freshman outfielder Danielle Skapura/Friendswood, Texas (Friendswood) on first base, sophomore shortstop Ryan Washington/Bealeton (Liberty) homered to center field to give the Lancers a 2-0 lead.

Freshman pitcher Denee Porter/Glendale, Ariz. (Sandra Day O’Connor) gave Longwood the 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when she hit her first collegiate home run. With senior second baseman Mallory Gordon/Powhatan (Powhatan) on second base, Porter stepped into the box and slammed a home run to center field.

Senior first baseman Victoria Masters/Lake City, Fla. (Thomas University-Ga.) hit the Lancers third two-run home run of the game in the bottom of the third inning. With Ryan Washington on second base, Masters homered to right center to increase LU’s lead to 6-0.

Junior catcher/outfielder Pepper Wilson/Mechanicsville (Lee-Davis) gave Longwood the 7-0 advantage when she drove in senior outfielder Shamana Washington/Rhoadesville (Orange County) with a double. Gordon closed out the Lancers scoring with a single up the middle that scored Wilson.

Porter earned the pitching win for Longwood. She gave up no runs on three hits, while striking out five in five innings of work.

Against Radford, the Highlanders jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Amanda Walling singled to right field to score Jennifer Evehart.

Longwood scored two runs in the bottom of the third inning to take the slight one run lead. Sophomore outfielder Caitlin Hooe/Richmond (Douglas Freeman) started the inning off with a home run to right field; the Lancers fourth home run on the day. Two batters later, Ryan Washington hit her second home run in two games; this time to right field.

A two-run fourth inning by Radford helped the Highlanders recapture the lead; a lead it would not relinquish. Both Walling and Danielle Thompkins scored on a single to second base by Anne Tatum.

Radford added a run in both the sixth and seventh inning to help secure the three-run victory. A fielder’s choice by Tatum scored Tompkins in the sixth inning, while Cassie Rhodes accounted for the run in the seventh inning when she was driven home by Taylor.

Sophomore pitcher Rachel Mills/Quinton (New Kent County) took the loss for the Lancers, giving up five runs, four earned, on 12 hits, while striking out two.