March 23, 2008
BOX SCORE
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Longwood University softball (17-10) could not hold on as it was defeated by #3 Florida 11-2 on Sunday morning at the UF Softball Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. The Lancers were led by freshman Nichole Simmons/Chesapeake (Hickory) who batted 2-2 from the plate, while providing one of the teams two runs. Longwood returns to action on March 26 in Chapel Hill, N.C. to face North Carolina at 4 p.m. in a double header.
The Lancers fell behind early as Florida scored two runs in the first inning of action. Longwood would try to string something together in the second inning, earning back-to-back hits from Michelle Phillips/Powhatan (Powhatan) and Simmons. Despite moving into scoring position Phillips would be stranded at second base, as the Gators managed to exit the inning unharmed.
Longwood would keep Florida scoreless in the bottom of the second inning, despite the Gators loading the bases on three hits. The Lancers would not get so lucky in the bottom of the third inning, as Florida added two more runs giving them a 4-0 lead.
Senior Ryan Washington/Bealeton (Liberty) would try and get the Lancer offense going in the fourth inning, singling through the right side. Florida would buckle down after the Washington hit, striking out the next batter and forcing the other two to pop out.
Florida would continue to torment the Lancers, scoring seven runs on five hits in the fifth inning of action. Longwood would try its best to rally back in the top of the sixth inning, starting with a Simmons single to third base. Freshman Maggie Margadonna/Sea Girt, N.J. (Wall Township) would take advantage of a Florida error, reaching base and moving Simmons to second. A wild pitch would allow Simmons and Margadonna to both move up a base, putting two Lancers in scoring position. Longwood would load the bases when the Florida pitcher walked Amy Betterton/Rocky Mount (Franklin County) who came in to pinch hit for Rachel Mills/Quinton (New Kent County).
Brittany Matthews/Farmville (Prince Edward) would be the next Lancer to reach base, this time on an error by the right fielder allowing Simmons to score. Margadonna would come around to score after an error on the short stop. Despite having the bases loaded, Longwood would not be able to score anymore runs as Florida’s pitchers once again took control of the game, striking out the next two batters.
Freshman Briana Wells/Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) picked up the loss for the Lancers, pitching three innings and striking out three Gator batters.
