February 27, 2010

BOX SCORE: LONGWOOD 11, OHIO 7
BOX SCORE: LEHIGH 8, LONGWOOD 6

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University softball team split a pair of games at the Lancer Spring Classic, rallying to defeat Ohio University 11-7 after falling to Lehigh University 8-6 at Lancer Field in Farmville. Against Ohio (3-8), the Lancers (5-5) overcame a 7-1 deficit with an eight-run fifth inning, led by senior Camille Ketsdever/Irvine, Calif. (Irvine) who hit a three-run home run and freshman Brooke Short/Altavista (Altavista) who hit a grand slam to end the scoring in the inning. Short went 6-for-8 on the day with two home runs, seven RBI and scored four runs. The Lancers return to action at 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 28, when they host Lehigh at 1 p.m. and Ohio at 3 p.m. for the second day of the Lancer Spring Classic in Farmville.

In the Ohio game, the Lancers fell behind early after the Bobcats scored two runs on four hits in the first inning. Ketsdever (3-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI) hit a solo home run to left-center field to pull within one in the top of the second inning, but Ohio scored four runs on a Caitlin Colvin grand slam in the bottom of the frame to take a 6-1 lead. The Lancers scored two runs in the top of the third inning with no outs and loaded the bases but could not get the ball out of the infield as they only scored two runs while having the runner thrown out at the plate twice on the fielder's choice, and cut the lead to 6-3. The Bobcats added one more run in the bottom of the fourth inning, but the Lancers exploded in the top of the fifth inning, scoring eight runs. Junior Nichole Simmons/Chesapeake (Hickory) (1-4) scored from third on a wild pitch for the first run. Ketsdever homered later in the at-bat, driving in sophomore Ashley Kramer/Ashburn (Broad Run) (1-4) and senior Amy Betterton/Rocky Mount (Franklin County) (1-5). Five batters later, Short (4-4, 5 RBI) hit a grand slam to right field, scoring junior Maggie Margadonna/Sea Girt, N.J. (Wall Township) (1-3), junior Kami Nuckols/Glen Allen (Patrick Henry) (2-3) and sophomore Brittney Latka/Purcellville (Loudon Valley). The Lancers held Ohio scoreless over the final three innings to take the 11-7 victory.

Short started in the circle for Longwood and gave up two runs on four hits in 2/3 of an inning. She was replaced by Briana Wells/Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) (4-3) who pitched the final 6 1/3 innings, giving up five runs, all unearned, on six hits while striking out two.

Ohio was led by Colvin who went 2-for-3 with five RBI and a grand slam. Candace Saucedo pitch 2/3 of an inning and gave up five runs on four hits and was saddled with the loss.

In the Lehigh game, the Lancers again dug a large hole, this time falling behind 8-0 before scoring three runs in the sixth inning and three runs in the seventh inning. Betterton (3-4, 2 RBI) drove in Simmons (2-4, RBI) and Short (2-4, HR, 2 RBI) on a double to right-center field to get the Lancers on the board. Junior Brittany Matthews/Farmville (Prince Edward) (1-2, RBI) hit a sacrifice fly to score Betterton and Longwood trailed 8-3 after six innings. Short hit a home run to left center to pull within three runs. Simmons hit a solo shot to the same spot in the next at bat to pull within two at 8-6 but the Lancers could not put together any more runs. Junior Brittany Spencer/Virginia Beach (First Colonial) gave up three unearned runs  over the final four innings on three hits with four walks and two strikeouts.

Lehigh was led by Jennifer Colquhoun who went 2-for-4 with three RBI and Lauren Eichblatt who went 1-for-3 with two RBI and one home run.