March 2, 2008

BOX SCORE

ATHENS, Ga. - Longwood University softball upset #17 Georgia of the Southeastern Conference, 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at the Georgia Softball Classic in Athens, Ga. The Lancers (8-5) were led by senior short stop Ryan Washington/Bealeton (Liberty) who was 2-2 from the plate, including a home run to left field. Longwood returns home on March 4 to host Hampton in a double-header with the first game beginning at 2 p.m.

Georgia (16-4) got on the board first, scoring in the third inning after Victoria Sanders scored on a sacrifice fly to left field. Longwood, who played as the home team, would earn the run back in the bottom of the fourth inning when Washington hit a shot over the left field fence.

Defense was the name of the game as both teams would sit at a 1-1 stalemate until the bottom of the seventh inning. Camille Ketsdever/Irvine, Calif. (Irvine) led off the inning for the Lancers with a triple to right field, putting the game winning run in scoring position. Georgia would keep things interesting, striking out the next two Longwood batters. With two outs, freshman Tricia Nelson/Plainville, Ill. (Plainfield Central) came in to pinch hit for Amy Betterton/Rocky Mount (Franklin County), a decision that would win the Lancers the game. Nelson singled to center field, scoring Ketsdever from third and ending the game.

Freshman Briana Wells/Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) earned the win for the Lancers, pitching 3.2 innings. Wells improves to 4-1 on the season after striking out two and walking one.