February 19, 2011

Box Score - Longwood 8, IUPUI 1
Box Score - Longwood 7, Army 2

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University softball team opened its 2011 campaign with a pair of victories in the Lancer Leadoff on Saturday afternoon when it defeated Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis 8-1 and the United States Military Academy 7-2 at Lancer Field in Farmville. The Lancers (2-0) scored runs in five of the first six innings against IUPUI (3-3) and relied on a six-run outburst in the fourth inning against Army (4-2). Sophomore Brooke Short|Altavista (Altavista) went 3-for-7 with two home runs and five RBI while senior pitcher Briana Wells|Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) earned the win in both games after giving up three runs in 11 innings with eight strikeouts. Longwood returns to action on Sunday, February 20, when they participate in the second day of the Lancer Leadoff. Longwood will play Quinnipiac University at 1 p.m. and will face IUPUI at 3 p.m. at Lancer Field in Farmville. Admission is free to all Longwood University home softball games.

Against IUPUI, the Lancers struck in the first inning when Maggie Margadonna|Sea Girt, N.J. (Wall Township) (1-4, RBI) scored on a passed ball. Junior Ashley Kramer|Ashburn (Broad Run) (2-3, RBI) singled and then stole second and scored on a RBI single by senior Tricia Nelson|Plainfield, Ill. (Plainfield) (2-2, RBI). Nelson scored later in the inning on an error by the shortstop to put Longwood ahead 3-0. IUPUI's Alicia Brewer (1-3) scored in the bottom of the fifth inning to make the score 5-1. The Lancers responded with three runs in the top of the sixth inning without a hit. Freshman Leta Bressin|Gloucester (Gloucester) scored on a wild pitch, then Margadonna reached second base following a two-base error. Senior Kami Nuckols|Glen Allen (Patrick Henry) (0-4) and Nelson scored on the play to give the Lancers the 8-1 lead.

Wells struck out one batter and gave up one run on four hits in five innings to earn the victory. Sophomore Brittany Shotwell|Roxboro, N.C. (Louisburg College) pitched the final two innings and gave up one hit and struck out two. Jocelyn Oppenhuis received the loss after giving up five runs, three earned, on nine hits in five innings.

Against Army, the Black Knights jumped out to a 2-0 lead after 4 1/2 innings. Army scored one run in the top of the third inning when Amanda Nguyen (0-3) scored on a single by Alex Reynolds (1-3, RBI). The Black Knights added to the lead in the fourth inning when catcher Rachael Duval (2-3, HR) homered to left-center field. The Lancers answered in the bottom of the fourth inning. Senior Nichole Simmons|Chesapeake (Hickory) (2-4) started the inning with a single and advanced to third on a single by Kramer (1-1). Simmons scored on a groundout by junior Courtney Long|Mechanicsville (Hanover) (0-3, RBI). Kramer scored on an error by the shortstop to tie the game at 2-2. Nuckols (3-4) singled and Margadonna (0-0, 3 walks) walked to load the bases for Short (1-3, HR, 4 RBI), who hit a grand slam to center field to put the Lancers ahead 6-2. Freshman Amy Putnam|Poquoson (Poquoson) (1-1, RBI) hit a RBI single that scored Nuckols in the sixth inning to make the final score 7-2.

Wells gave up two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts in six innings to earn the victory. Shawna Bleyl gave up six runs, only one earned, on seven hits in 3.2 innings and received the loss.