March 1, 2008

BOX SCORE

ATHENS, Ga. - Longwood University softball picked up its first win of the Georgia Softball Classic on Saturday, defeating Butler 4-3 in Athens, Ga. The Lancers improve to 6-5 on the season, with help from freshmen Michelle Phillips/Powhatan (Powhatan) and Kami Knuckols/Glen Allen (Patrick Henry) who both hit 2-3 on the day. Longwood returns to action at 12 p.m., facing Michigan State.

The Lancers drew first blood, taking a 1-0 advantage in the first inning. Knuckols would start the charge for Longwood, hitting a triple to right center field. A Emily Radford/Tacoma, Wash. (FIfe) double two batters later would allow Knuckols to score.

Butler, who was the home team, would tie the game 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning, but the draw would be short lived. The Lancer would tack on another run in the top of the third, taking a 2-1 advantage after a fielder’s choice allowed Caitlin Hooe/Richmond (Douglas Freeman) to reach base and eventually come around to score.

Longwood would increase its lead in the following inning courtesy of Phillips. Phillips would lead off the inning with a double to left center before going on to steal third base. Freshman Nichole Simmons/Chesapeake (Hickory) was the next batter up for the Lancers and would hit a double to center field, allowing Phillips to score.

Simmons and Phillips would work together in the top of the sixth inning to score the Lancers final run of the game. A single to left field allowed Phillips to reach base, before Simmons would lay down a sacrifice bunt that would result in a Butler error, allowing Simmons to advance to third and Phillips to go home.

Butler tried to make a comeback in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring two runs, but it would not be enough as the Lancers would hold on to a 4-3 victory.

Senior Rachel Mills/Quinton (New Kent County) picked up the win for the Lancers, improving to 2-3 on the season.