FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University softball team will host Big South Conference opponent Winthrop University in a three game series this weekend at Lancer Field in Farmville. The series will mark the first meetings between the Lancers and the Eagles since they clashed in the 2013 Big South Championship title game last May. The squads will play a doubleheader on Saturday, March 22 beginning at 2 p.m. before facing off in a single game on Sunday, March 23 at 1 p.m. Live, in-game statistics for all three contests will be available at www.longwoodlancers.com.

Play4Kay
The first game of the series against Winthrop on March 22 has been designated Play4Kay to raise awareness for breast cancer victims and fighters with free pink t-shirts to the first 50 fans, and all proceeds and donations will support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

Looking at Longwood
Longwood has won nine of its last 10 games to improve to 15-5 overall, including a perfect 4-0 in Big South games. The squad hosted Liberty in a doubleheader earlier this week on March 20, earning a 3-2 decision in eight innings in game one before taking a 9-1 win in five innings in game two. Through 20 games, sophomore Emily Murphy/Virginia Beach leads the Lancers with a .411 batting average, 23 runs, four home runs and an .804 slugging percentage. Junior Megan Baltzell/Stafford is hitting .407, adding a team-best 24 hits and 14 walks, while classmate Chelsea Sciacca/Whittier, Calif. (.346) has eight doubles and 13 RBI. Sophomore Carly Adams/Colonial Heights has also made an impact at the plate with a team-high 15 RBI. In the circle, the Lancers are paced by freshman Elizabeth McCarthy/Dunnsville, who has 48 strikeouts and a 1.93 ERA for a 6-2 record so far.

Scouting Winthrop
The Eagles own a 15-13 record, including a 3-2 mark in Big South games. WU is in the midst of a five-game win streak, following a doubleheader sweep on March 20 at Presbyterian (4-3 and 9-5). Winthrop, under the direction of 25th-year head coach Mark Cooke, is led by McKenzi Corn, who boasts a team-best .432 batting average and 17 runs. Mel Andrea adds to the Eagles' offense with a team high 21 RBI and has batted .322 this year. In the circle, Sarah Allen takes the helm for Winthrop with a 2.77 ERA and 68 strikeouts for a 6-5 record on the season.

Series History
Longwood currently leads the all-time series against Winthrop, 3-2. Last season, the Lancers won three of four meetings between the two squads, including a pair of five-inning victories during the regular season. Longwood and Winthrop squared off one final time last season, in the title game of the 2013 Big South Championship in Rock Hill, S.C. on May 12 when the Lancers earned a 10-2 decision in five innings on ESPNU.

Home Sweet Home
Heading into 2014, head coach Kathy Riley pinpointed performing better at home as one of the team's early goals for the season. After finishing just 10-7 in Farmville last year in 2013, the Lancers have already made a strong showing on their home turf this season with a 10-2 mark at Lancer Field so far.