May 8, 2011

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University softball team shut out visiting East Carolina University of Conference USA 3-0 on Sunday afternoon at Lancer Field in Farmville. Senior Nichole Simmons|Chesapeake (Hickory) hit a leadoff home run in the first inning and senior Brittany Matthews|Farmville (Prince Edward) hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning for the Lancers (34-12). Senior Briana Wells|Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) earned the four-hit shutout victory with four strikeouts and no walks against the Pirates (36-20). Longwood wrapped up its home schedule with a 20-3 record. The Lancers return to action on Monday, May 9, with a doubleheader at Campbell University of the Atlantic Sun Conference at 12 p.m. in Buies Creek, North Carolina.

Longwood took the early lead after a Simmons (1-2) leadoff home run in the first inning. In the bottom of the fifth inning, junior Ashley Kramer|Ashburn (Broad Run) (1-2) hit a leadoff single, then advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by senior Tricia Nelson|Plainfield, Ill. (Plainfield Central). Matthews (1-2) hit a two-out home run down the left field line to push the Longwood lead to 3-0. Wells allowed just one hit with three strikeouts over the final two innings to preserve the victory.

Wells (31-12, 2.35 ERA) earned the victory after allowing no runs on four hits with four strikeouts in seven innings. Toni Paisley (27-11) received the loss after giving up three runs on three hits with five strikeouts in six innings.

The home run by Matthews was her second career home run and the second in as many games. Wells set a new school record with her 23rd career shutout.