May 1, 2010

BOX SCORE: Maryland 3, Longwood 1
BOX SCORE: Longwood 5, Maryland 1

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Longwood University softball team split a doubleheader at the University of Maryland of the Atlantic Coast Conference, dropping the first game 3-1 before rallying to win the final game of the season 5-1. Junior Maggie Margadonna/Sea Girt, N.J. (Wall Township) went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in the second game while junior Brittany Matthews/Farmville (Prince Edward) added a two-run double in the second game. The Lancers end the season with a 36-16 record while the Terrapins move to 32-20.

In the second game, the Lancers struck in the fourth inning when junior Briana Wells/Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) drew a two-out walk. Junior Nichole Simmons/Chesapeake (Hickory) followed with a single through the left side and Matthews drove both of them home with a double to right field. The Terrapins got one run back in the bottom of the fourth inning. Longwood added two more runs in the top of the sixth inning when Simmons had a bunt single. Matthews advanced Simmons to second and junior Kami Nuckols/Glen Allen (Patrick Henry) singled through the left side, sending Simmons to third base. Margadonna hit a two-run double to left-center field to score Nuckols and Simmons and gave the Lancers a 4-1 lead. Longwood added one run in the seventh inning when senior Camille Ketsdever/Irvine, Calif. (Irvine) scored on a wild pitch.

Wells (31-10) pitched her 25th complete game of the year and scattered five hits while allowing one run with four strikeouts. Kendra Knight received the loss after giving up two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts in four innings.

In the first game, the Lancers fell behind 2-0 in the first inning. The Lancers pulled within one in the sixth inning when Wells started the inning with a leadoff double. Sophomore Brittney Latka/Purcellville (Loudon Valley) was inserted as a pinch runner and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Latka would score when Nuckols bunted and was thrown out at first with Latka safe at home. The Terrapins added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning and won 3-1.

Wells went the distance, giving up three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts in the loss. Kerry Hickey picked up the win after allowing one run on one hit in seven innings with four strikeouts.

Today was the final game in a Longwood jersey for Ketsdever and classmate Amy Betterton/Rocky Mount (Franklin County). Ketsdever finished third in the career records with 20 home runs and and is eighth in doubles (30) and RBI (92). She also added 92 RBI and scored 99 runs with a .335 batting average.  Betterton finished 10th on the career home run list with 14 and also added 80 RBI and 18 doubles.