April 9, 2008
GAME ONE
GAME TWO
BLACKSBURG, Va. - Longwood University softball team (21-14) split with #19 Virginia Tech on Wednesday evening in Blacksburg, falling to the Hokies 2-0 in game one and bouncing back to take game two 5-4 after eight innings. The victory marks the second time this season that Longwood has split with a top-20 program, knocking off then #17 Georgia in game two of its doubleheader on March 2 in Athens, Ga. The Lancers were led by senior Caitlin Hooe/Richmond (Douglas Freeman) who hit a combined 3-6 and scored one of the teams runs in game two. Longwood returns to action on April 12 facing East Tennessee State in a double-header in Johnson City, Tenn. at 2 p.m.
Game one saw the Lancers struggle to get their offense going, only mustering one hit against Heather Lowry who pitched five innings for the Hokies. Longwood’s lone hit came from Hooe who reached base in the top of the third inning, after singling to left center and advancing all hte way to third on a fielding error by the center fielder. Despite having a runner in scoring position Longwood would not be able to capitalize.
Virginia Tech sealed the game in its favor in the bottom of the second inning, after a single to left center by Misty Hall brought two runners home.
Senior Rachel Mills/Quinton (New Kent County) pitched six innings for the Lancers, striking out one and walking seven.
The Lancers would bounce back quickly in game two, scoring four of their five runs in the first inning. Hooe would jump start things by leading off the inning with a single to the Hokie pitcher. Senior Ryan Washinton/Bealton (Liberty) would move Hooe over the second base after earning a single to left field. The Hokies would load the bases by walking freshman Maggie Margadonna/Sea Girt, N.J. (Wall Township). A single up the middle of the field by freshman catcher Michelle Phillips/Powhatan (Powhatan) would bring in Hooe and Washington and advance Margadonna to third.
Margadonna and Phillips would both come around to score with the next Lancer batter as freshman Nichole Simmons/Chesapeake (Hickory) doubled to left center. Following the Simmons double Virginia Tech would make a pitching change, bringing in its ace Angela Tincher who would keep Longwood scoreless until the top of the eighth inning.
The Lancer defense would hit a few bumps in the road on the way to victory, giving up one run to the Hokies in the fourth inning before allowing three runs in the sixth. Hall would play a part in all of Virginia Tech’s runs scoring Charlsse Mariconda in the fourth in a sacrifice fly and hitting a triple in the sixth clearing the bases.
Freshman Brittany Spencer/Virginia Beach (First Colonial) scored what would be the game winning run in the eighth inning, after pinch running for Margadonna who was placed on second base due to the international tie-breaker rule. Hooe would earn the RBI after singling down the left field line, allowing Spencer to come hone.
Freshman Briana Wells/Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) pitched all eight innings for the Lancers and improves to 9-6 on the season after striking out four.
