March 7, 2010

BOX SCORE: LONGWOOD 7, GEORGETOWN 1
BOX SCORE: N.C. STATE 7, LONGWOOD 1

RALEIGH, N.C. – Longwood University split a pair of softball games at the Wolfpack Challenge at Dail Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Lancers defeated Georgetown University 7-1 before falling to host N.C. State of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) 7-1 in the second game. Longwood (9-7) was led by junior Nichole Simmons/Chesapeake (Hickory) who went 3-for-5 on the day with one home run and four RBI. The Lancers return to action on Tuesday, March 9, when they host ACC-member University of Virginia at 1 p.m. at Lancer Field in Farmville.

In the game against Georgetown (6-7), the Lancers struck first, scoring two runs in the first inning on a home run by Simmons (2-2, HR, 4 RBI) that scored junior Kami Nuckols/Glen Allen (Patrick Henry) (2-3). The Lancers added another run in the second inning when sophomore Ashley Kramer/Ashburn (Broad Run) (1-3, HR) hit a solo home run down the left field line, giving Longwood a 3-0 lead after two innings. Longwood scored a pair of runs in the fifth inning when Simmons doubled to right-center field, scoring Nuckols and junior Maggie Margadonna/Sea Girt, N.J. (Wall Township) (0-2). Georgetown scored one unearned run in the sixth inning but Longwood answered with another two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on a home run by freshman Jordan Cox/Springfield (Robert E. Lee) (1-1, HR), the first of her career, that drove in sophomore Brittney Latka/Purcellville (Loudon Valley).

Junior Briana Wells/Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) pitched a complete game against Georgetown, scattering seven hits over seven innings and giving up one unearned run with three strikeouts.

Mackensey Carter took the loss in the circle for the Hoyas, giving up five runs on seven hits over five innings. Carter drove in Kelsie Hanson for Georgetown's only run.

Against N.C. State (12-8), the Lancers fell behind in the second inning after the Wolfpack scored on a passed ball. N.C. State added five more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, four of them coming on a pair of two-RBI doubles. Longwood got one run back in the top of the sixth inning when the senior Amy Betterton/Rocky Mount (Franklin County) (1-3), senior Camille Ketsdever/Irvine, Calif. (Irvine) (1-3) and Kramer (1-3) put together three-straight singles. Betterton scored from third on a throwing error by the catcher. The Wolfpack added one run in the bottom of the sixth inning to win 7-1.

Junior Brittany Spencer/Virginia Beach (First Colonial) took the loss in the second game, giving up six unearned runs on three hits with five walks in 3 2/3 innings. Freshman Brooke Short/Altavista (Altavista) gave up one run on one hit with a pair of strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings of relief.

N.C. State was led by Lindsay Campana who scattered eight hits over seven innings and gave up one unearned run with 10 strikeouts.

Wells, Margadonna and Nuckols were named to the All-Tournament team. Wells went 3-0 in the circle with two complete games, giving up three hits, all singles, and three runs, only one earned, in 18.0 innings. She helped her own cause at the plate, going 3-for-8 with one home run and three RBI. Margadonna went 7-for-11 and scored six runs while Nuckols went 6-for-14 with five runs scored.