March 4, 2011

Box Score: Longwood 2, Notre Dame 0
Box Score: Longwood 8, Long Island 8 (5)

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Longwood University softball team defeated the University of Notre Dame 2-0 and Long Island University 8-0 on the opening day of the Citrus Classic in Orlando, Florida. Senior Nichole Simmons|Chesapeake (Hickory) went 4-for-5 at the plate with two doubles and scored three runs while senior Briana Wells|Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) went 2-0 in the circle after pitching 11.2 scoreless innings over the two games. The Lancers (10-0) return to action on Saturday, March 6, when they face the University of Maryland at 12:30 p.m. and the University of Illinois at 3 p.m. on the second day of the Citrus Classic in Orlando.

Against Notre Dame (9-1), the Lancers scored one run in the bottom of the second inning. Senior Ashley Kramer|Ashburn (Broad Run) started the inning with an infield single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Wells. She advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Jordan Cox|Springfield (Robert E. Lee) to make the score 1-0. The Lancers added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Simmons hit a one-out double down the left field line and then stole third base. Simmons scored when Kramer hit an RBI double to left-center to put the Lancers ahead 2-0. Wells retired the Irish in order in the seventh inning to end the game.

Wells (8-0, 0.88 ERA) gave up two hits with two strikeouts in seven scoreless innings and earned the win. Jackie Bowe received the loss after giving up one run on one hit in 1.2 innings.

The Lancers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the second game against Long Island (3-13). Senior Kami Nuckols|Glen Allen (Patrick Henry) hit a leadoff single and advanced to second when senior Maggie Margadonna|Sea Girt, N.J. (Wall Township) hit a single to right field. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and then Nuckols scored on a RBI single by Simmons. Margadonna scored on a sacrifice fly by Kramer to make the score 3-0 after the first half-inning. In the top of the second, sophomore Brooke Short|Altavista (Altavista) hit a two-run single to put the Lancers ahead 5-0. Longwood finished the scoring in the top of the fourth inning when Kramer hit a two-run single to center field. The Lancers loaded the bases and then Nuckols drew a walk to put Longwood ahead 8-0.

Wells started the game and pitched 4.2 scoreless innings, giving up three hits with one strikeout. Megan Sheaf received the loss after giving up five runs on five hits in 1.1 innings.