April 18, 2006
Game One Box ScoreGame Two Box ScoreFARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University split a softball doubleheader with visiting Virginia, members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), this afternoon at Lancer Field. The Lancers earned an 8-0 victory in five innings in the opener and then dropped a heartbreaking 5-4 loss in eight innings in the night cap. The Lancers now hold a 23-19 record, while the Cavaliers are now 25-19 on the season. LU will be back in action on Sunday, April 23 when it travels to Norfolk State for a doubleheader. The first game is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m.
In the opener, the Lancers scored five runs in the bottom of the second inning to break the scoreless tie. With freshman designated player Emily Radford/Tacoma, Wash. (Fife) on third and senior second baseman Mallory Gordon/Powhatan (Powhatan) on second with one out, junior first baseman Tori Flint/Charlottesville (Albemarle County) hit her first home run of the season over the left field fence to give LU a 3-0 advantage. Longwood added its fourth run when sophomore outfielder Caitlin Hooe/Richmond (Douglas Freeman) doubled to deep center to score Bonner, who was on first. Hooe closed out the scoring for the Lancers, crossing home plate two batters later when sophomore shortstop Ryan Washington/Bealeton (Liberty) hit a single down the right field line.
Longwood earned the eight-run rule victory by scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ryan Washington hit a one-out triple to right-center and scored a batter later on a fielder’s choice by sophomore outfielder Kristina Garrison/Alexandria (Mount Vernon). A bunt single by junior catcher Pepper Wilson/Mechanicsville (Lee-Davis) and a single by Radford loaded the bases for Gordon. Gordon closed out the game for LU hitting a two-run double to give Longwood the 8-0 victory.
Sophomore pitcher Rachel Mills/Quinton (New Kent County) earned the pitching win for Longwood. She allowed only five hits over five innings, while striking out one.
Erin Horn took the loss for Virginia, giving up four runs on one hit in only 1.1 innings of work.
In the nightcap, Virginia jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top in the first inning. Elea Crockett started the inning off with a single, and then advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt and ground out by Jessica Taylor and Horn, respectively. A fielding error by Bonner allowed Crockett to score and give the Cavaliers the slight one-run lead.
The Lancers responded in their half of the first with four runs to capture the lead. After Hooe grounded out to the pitcher, freshman outfielder Danielle Skapura/Friendswood, Texas (Friendswood) and Ryan Washington hit back-to-back singles, while senior outfielder Shamana Washington/Rhoadesville (Orange County) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Wilson followed with a bases clearing double to give Longwood the 3-0 lead. Wilson scored a batter later on a single to right field hit by Radford.
The Cavaliers got one run back in the top of the second when Sara Larquier hit a one-out solo home run to left field.
Virginia then tied the game in the top of the sixth inning. With Lindsey Preuss on third and Larquier on first, Whitney Holstun hit a single to score Preuss and advance Larquier to third. Larquier evened the score when she stole home.
The Cavaliers earned the come-from-behind win in the eighth inning when Holstun singled up the middle with two outs to score Jackie Greer.
Mills took the loss for the Lancers, giving up three runs on five hits, while striking out one and walking two in six innings of work.
Coty Tolar earned the pitching win for Virginia, giving up four runs on 10 hits, while striking out six and walking two in eight full innings of work.
