March 22, 2008

GAME ONE

GAME TWO

GAINESVILLE, Fla.. – Longwood University softball dropped two games to #3 Florida at the UF Softball Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday afternoon dropping game one 9-1 and game two 6-0. The Lancers were led by freshman Tricia Nelson/Plainfiled, Ill. (Plainfield Central) who hit 4-5 on the day and scored one run. Longwood returns to the UF Softball Stadium on March 23 when they face Florida once more at 11 a.m.

Game one saw the strong Florida side jump all over a young Lancer squad, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Longwood would earn one run back in the second inning, with Nelson getting things started with a single through the left side. Nelson would move into scoring position with the next Lancer batter, as Cami Ketsdever/Irvine, Calf. (Irvine) singled allowing Nelson to take second. A ground out would allow Nelson and Ketsdever to move to third and second respectively with the next Longwood batter. Sophomore Catelyn Slagle/Chesapeake (Greenbrier) would knock in Nelson on the next at bat, grounding out to the second baseman.

Florida would answer back in the bottom of the inning scoring one run, before adding four more runs in the bottom of the third. The Lancers would keep Florida off the board in the fourth inning, but it would not be enough as the game ended in the fifth inning due to the NCAA run rule.

Senior Rachel Mills/Quinton (New Kent County) pitched 2.1 innings for the Lancers, picking up the loss after striking out two.

The Lancers would compose themselves in the second game, keeping the Florida bats under control until the sixth inning. Longwood’s best scoring opportunity would come in the second inning, after Nelson reached base courtesy of a single up the middle. Ketsdever would once again follow Nelson onto base, singling to down the left field line. Both players would move themselves into scoring position moments later, but neither would be able to cross the plate. Florida would answer back in the second inning taking a 1-0 lead after Francesca Enea hit a home run over the center field fence.

In the top of the sixth inning the Lancers would come close to scoring once again this time with Michelle Phillips/Powhatan (Powhatan) singling to center field. Senior Ryan Washington/Bealeton (Liberty) would single down the right field line, allowing Phillips advance to third. Phillips would attempt to score on a Ketsdever hit, but would be gunned down at home.

Florida would once again answer back to the Longwood offensive threat, this time scoring five runs in the bottom of the sixth. Longwood would try to rally back in the top of the seventh but would not be able to, falling 6-0.

Freshman Briana Wells/Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) pitched six innings for the Lancers, striking out three batters.