May 9, 2011

Box Score: Longwood 4, Campbell 1 (11)
Box Score: Longwood 5, Campbell 4 (9)

BUIES CREEK, N.C. - The Longwood University softball team swept a pair of extra-inning games at Campbell University on Monday afternoon in Buies Creek, North Carolina, winning the first game 4-1 in 11 innings and the second game 5-4 in nine innings. Senior Briana Wells|Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) pitched all 20 innings for the Lancers with 17 strikeouts, including a career-high 11 strikeouts in the first game. She allowed just two hits after the sixth inning in the two games. Freshman Leta Bressin|Gloucester (Gloucester) scored the game-winning run in the first game, followed by a two-run home run by freshman Marci Christian|Arvonia (Buckingham) to give the Lancers (36-12) a three-run lead over the Camels (30-26).  Bressin scored the game-winning run in the second game on a double by junior Ashley Kramer |Ashburn (Broad Run). Longwood returns to action on Wednesday, May 11, when it travels to Athens, Georgia, for a doubleheader against the University of Georgia of the Southeastern Conference at 11 a.m..

In the first game, the Camels scored one run in the third inning on a leadoff home run by Lauren Stephan. The Lancers answered in the fourth inning when junior pinch runner Brittney Latka|Purcellville (Loudon Valley) scored on a RBI single by senior Tricia Nelson|Plainfield, Ill. (Plainfield Central) (1-4). Campbell loaded the bases in the fifth inning, but Lizzie Goldbach was out at home on a fielder's choice and Keeli Michael grounded out to end the threat. In the eleventh inning, Bressin was placed on second base due to the International Tiebreaker Rule. She scored from second base when sophomore Brooke Short|Altavista (Altavista) (1-3, 1 run) bunted and reached base on a throwing error by the pitcher. Christian entered as a pinch hitter and hit a two-run home run to center field, the first of her career, to give Longwood the 4-1 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Campbell advanced a runner to third base with one out, but Wells struck out the next batter and Goldbach flew out to end the game.

Wells (33-12, 2.31 ERA) earned the victory after giving up one run on five hits in 11 innings with 11 strikeouts. Katie Woodcock (11-5) received the loss after giving up three runs, one earned, on one hit in five innings.

In the second game, Longwood took the early 2-0 lead in the first inning after a two-run single by Nelson (1-5) scored seniors Nichole Simmons|Chesapeake (Hickory) (1-4, 2 runs) and Maggie Margadonna|Sea Girt, N.J. (Wall Township) (1-3, 2 runs). The Lancers added to the lead when Simmons doubled, then stole third base and scored on a wild pitch to give LU the 3-0 lead in the fourth inning. Campbell scored four runs on two home runs in the fourth inning to take the 4-3 lead. Short (4-5) drove in Margadonna with a double in the sixth inning to tie the game at 4-4. In the ninth inning, Short hit a leadoff single and was replaced on the basepath by Bressin. Bressin advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Christian and scored from second on a RBI double to left field by Kramer (1-3) to put the Lancers ahead 5-4. Campbell had one hit in the ninth inning could not advance the runner past first base.

Wells earned the victory after giving up four runs, all in the fourth inning, on six hits in nine innings with six strikeouts. Woodcock received the loss after giving up one run on three hits in three innings.