March 12, 2011

Box Score

HONOLULU, Hawaii - The Longwood University softball team defeated the 14th-ranked University of Hawaii 1-0 on the first day of the Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament on Friday evening in Honolulu, Hawaii. Senior Nichole Simmons|Chesapeake (Hickory) hit a one-out, solo home run in the top of the seventh inning to give the Lancers (13-3) the win over the Rainbow Wahine (16-5). Senior pitcher Briana Wells|Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) scattered three hits with six strikeouts in the victory. Longwood returns to action on Saturday, March 12, when it faces Miami University (Ohio) at 4 p.m. ET and South Dakota State University at 6 p.m. on the second day of the Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament in Honolulu.

Both pitchers were perfect through the first two innings before Melissa Gonzalez hit a leadoff single in the bottom of the third inning. Hawaii couldn't get the ball out of the infield as Wells forced a popup, groundout and had a strikeout to end the inning.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Rainbow Wahine's Jessica Iwata hit a fly ball to deep center field, but senior Kami Nuckols|Glen Allen (Patrick Henry) tracked the ball down to record the first out. Wells allowed a two-out walk, but Sharla Kliebenstein grounded out to Wells to end the inning.

Hawaii had another leadoff single in the bottom of the fifth inning when Sarah Robinson singled to right-center field. Robinson advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and advanced to third on a groundout, but Dara Pagaduan popped up to Wells to strand the runner on third base.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Iwata hit a one-out single to left field and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Wells recorded her sixth strikeout of the night before Jenna Rodriquez grounded out to end the threat.

In the top of the seventh inning, sophomore Brooke Short|Altavista (Altavista) grounded out for the first out. Simmons stepped to the plate and hit a one-out, solo home run to straightaway center field to put the Lancers ahead 1-0 on their first hit of the game. Junior Ashley Kramer|Ashburn (Broad Run) walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior Tricia Nelson|Plainfield, Ill. (Plainfield Central), but Wells struck out swinging to end the inning.

Wells retired the Rainbow Wahine in order in the bottom of the seventh inning to end the game.

Wells (11-3, 2.17 ERA) recorded her fourth shutout of the season and scattered three hits and one walk over seven innings.

Stephanie Ricketts (10-4) received the loss after giving up one run on one hit with nine strikeouts and four walks in seven innings.