March 12, 2011

Box Score: Miami (OH) 1, Longwood 0
Box Score: Longwood 5, South Dakota State 3

HONOLULU, Hawaii - The Longwood University softball team defeated South Dakota State University 5-3 after it dropped a 1-0 decision to Miami University (Ohio) on Saturday afternoon on the second day of the Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament in Honolulu, Hawaii. Sophomore Brooke Short|Altavista (Altavista) went 3-for-7 with a home run on the day to pace the Lancers (14-4). Longwood returns to action on Sunday, March 13, on the third and final day of the Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament with the opponent and game time to be determined.

Against SDSU (2-13), the Lancers fell behind 3-0 after the first half-inning. The leadoff batter reached base after an error by the shortstop, then a hit batter put runners on first and second. Ashley Durazo put down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners in to scoring position, then Krista Honken grounded out to first base, but a run scored. Marlee Petersen doubled to drive in one more run and Tina Winter singled to drive in the third run of the inning. Longwood got one run back in the bottom of the first inning when Short hit a two-out home run to make the score 3-1. The Lancers exploded for four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Short reached on an error by the shortstop and then senior Tricia Nelson|Plainfield, Ill. (Plainfield Central) walked to put runners on first and second. Senior Briana Wells|Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) hit a RBI single to right field to pull Longwood within one. Freshman Leta Bressin|Gloucester (Gloucester) entered as a pinch runner for Wells and advanced to second on a RBI single by senior Maggie Margadonna|Sea Girt, N.J. (Wall Township) that scored Nelson. Senior Brittany Matthews|Farmville (Prince Edward) had a sacrifice bunt that advanced the runners before senior Kami Nuckols|Glen Allen (Patrick Henry) hit a RBI single through the left side to put Longwood ahead 4-3. Margadonna scored from third on a throwing error by the catcher to give Longwood the 5-3 lead. Sophomore Brittany Shotwell|Roxboro, N.C. (Louisburg College) retired the side in order in the sixth inning and had two outs and runners on first and second when she was replaced by Wells, who struck out the only batter she faced to secure the victory.

Shotwell (3-0, 3.85 ERA) received the win after giving up three runs, only one earned, on seven hits with three strikeouts. Wells (11-4, 2.08 ERA) earned her third save of the season. Pam Nicholson (1-7) received the loss after giving up two unearned runs on four hits in two innings.

Against Miami (10-6), the Lancers stranded five baserunners in the 1-0 loss. Longwood fell behind early as the RedHawks scored one run on three hits in the first inning. In the fifth inning, Nelson hit a leadoff single and advanced to second on an error by the centerfielder. Wells popped up to shortstop and then sophomore Jordan Cox|Springfield (Robert E. Lee) put down a sacrifice bunt to advance Nelson to third base, but Matthews flew out to left field to end the inning. Junior Ashley Kramer|Ashburn (Broad Run) reached on an error and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Nelson. Wells struck out swinging and Cox popped up to end the game.

Wells received the loss after giving up one run on four hits with one strikeout in seven innings. Jessica Simpson earned the win after pitching a three-hit shutout with six strikeouts.