April 2, 2008
Game One
Game Two
FARMVILLE, Va. - Longwood University softball (20-13) splits its double header against Virginia on Wednesday afternoon at Lancer Field, falling 3-0 in game one before bouncing back and knocking off the Cavaliers 5-3 in game two. Freshman Tricia Nelson/Plainfield, Ill. (Plainfield Central) led the way for the Lancers in game two, hitting a two-run home run to left field. Longwood returns to the diamond on April 5 to take on Georgetown in a double header at 1 p.m. in Washington, D.C.
Despite only earning one hit in game one, the Lancers offense was not lacking contact with the ball as they hit nine fly outs and five ground outs. Senior Caitlin Hooe/Richmond (Douglas Freeman) managed the Lancers lone hit of the game, leading off the bottom of the first inning with a single to right center. Hooe’s hit would be the closest Longwood would come in game one to having a runner in scoring position.
Virginia jumped on the board in the second inning, scoring a run on a solo home run to left field by Lindsey Preuss. The Cavaliers would tack on their final two runs in the fifth inning, after a series of Lancer miscues allowed them to move around the bases.
Freshman Briana Wells/Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) fell to 8-6 on the season, after pitching her eighth complete game of the season.
Longwood bounced back in the second game outhitting Virginia 7-5, while both teams collected two errors. The Lancers scored first when Nelson came around to score an unearned run in the bottom of the second, after a throwing error by the catcher. Hooe gave Longwood a 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the next inning, scoring on a single by freshman Kami Nuckols/Glen Allen (Patrick Henry).
Two Lancer errors in the top of the fourth inning would allow Virginia to take a 3-2 lead, earning the Cavaliers three runs on one hit. Sophomore Cami Ketsdever/Irvine, Calif. (Irvine) tied the game up in the bottom of the inning, reaching base on a double to center field and coming around to score on a single by freshman Nichole Simmons/Chesapeake (Hickory).
Senior Ryan Washington/Bealton (Liberty) helped set the Lancers up to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, hitting a triple to right center field. Washington would come around to score on the very next Lancer at bat, when Nelson hit a perfectly placed ball over the fence in left field. The home run in Nelson’s first of the season and of her career.
Senior Rachel Mills/Quinton (New Kent County) picked up the win after pitching seven complete innings, striking out five Cavalier batters.
