April 21, 2011

Box Score: Longwood 8, Binghamton 0 (5)
Box Score: Binghamton 11, Longwood 9 (8)

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University softball team split a doubleheader against visiting Binghamton University on Thursday afternoon at Lancer Field in Farmville, winning the first game 8-0 in five innings before falling 11-9 in eight innings in the nightcap. Sophomore Brooke Short|Altavista (Altavista) hit a pair of home runs on the day to set the Longwood single-season record with 14 home runs, eclipsing her own record of 13 from last season. Senior Brittany Matthews|Farmville (Prince Edward) hit the game-winning double in the first game against the Bearcats (18-15). Longwood (28-11) returns to action on Saturday, April 23, when it hosts a doubleheader against Liberty University at 1 p.m. at Lancer Field in Farmville on Senior Day where six seniors will be recognized.

The Lancers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first game when Short hit a three-run home run in the  first inning. Longwood added four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, the first two when senior Nichole Simmons|Chesapeake (Hickory) reached on a throwing error by the third baseman that allowed two runs to score with two outs. Senior Maggie Margadonna|Sea Girt, N.J. (Wall Township) followed with a two-run home run to put the Lancers ahead 7-0. Matthews hit a pinch hit double to right-center to score junior Ashley Kramer|Ashburn (Broad Run) to end the game in the fifth inning.

Senior Briana Wells|Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) (25-11, 2.43) earned the victory after pitching 4.1 scoreless innings, giving up just one hit with five strikeouts. Rhoda Marsteller (8-7) received the loss after giving up seven runs, just three earned, on seven hits with one strikeout.

In the second game, Longwood gave up three runs in the first inning but tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a solo home run by Simmons and a two-run home run by Short. The Lancers added two runs in the second inning, the first on a RBI single by Short and the second when Simmons stole home as part of a double steal. The Bearcats scored two runs on four straight hits to tie the game at 5-5 in the top of the third inning. The game remained tied until the fifth inning when Kramer hit a two-out triple and scored on a single by senior Tricia Nelson|Plainfield, Ill. (Plainfield Central) to take the 6-5 lead. Binghamton grabbed the 7-6 lead in the sixth inning when Jessica Bump hit a sacrifice fly and Shannon Kane had an RBI single. Longwood forced extra innings when sophomore Jordan Cox|Springfield (Robert E. Lee) hit a double that scored junior Brittney Latka|Purcellville (Loudon Valley) from second base. The Binghamton offense exploded for four runs on four hits with one error in the top of the eighth inning. Two of those runs scored on a single by Shannon Kane. The Lancers scored two runs in the eighth inning when senior Kami Nuckols|Glen Allen (Patrick Henry) hit an inside the park home run to right-center field to drive in freshman Marci Christian|Arvonia (Buckingham). Simmons singled to left field, then Margadonna reached on an error. Simmons was thrown out at third on a double steal attempt for the first out, then Short walked. Cox struck out with runners on second and third and Kramer flew out to right-center field to end the game.

Wells received the loss after giving up 11 runs, eight earned, on 12 hits with nine strikeouts in eight innings. Marsteller earned he win after giving up two runs on two hits in 1.2 innings.