FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University softball team will travel to Big South Conference opponent Presbyterian College for a three-game weekend series. Due to inclement weather, the squads will now play a single game on Saturday, March 29 beginning at 3 p.m. in Clinton, S.C. before squaring off in a doubleheader on Sunday, March 30 at 1 p.m. Live, in-game statistics will be available for all three games on www.gobluehose.com.

Looking at Longwood
Longwood has won five of its last six games to improve to 18-6 overall, including 7-1 in Big South games. The squad defeated in-state and league rival Liberty University, 3-0, earlier this week on March 27 to complete the regular-season sweep against the Flames. In that contest, junior Megan Baltzell/Stafford tallied a two-run home run and classmate Libby Morris/Dillwyn retired 12 consecutive batters between the second and fifth innings en route to the shutout. Through 24 games, Baltzell leads the Lancers with a .435 batting average, 20 RBI, four home runs, 18 walks and a .768 slugging percentage. Sophomore Emily Murphy/Virginia Beach is hitting .397 with a team-best 28 runs and 14 stolen bases. Juniors Katie Shinrock/Fountain Valley, Calif. (.324) and Casey Lifsey/Portsmouth (.306) are averaging better than .300, as well, while sophomore Carly Adams/Colonail Heights adds 16 RBI. In the circle, the Lancers look to Morris, who carries a 9-3 record with 43 strikeouts and a 2.40 ERA.

Scouting Presbyterian
PC owns a 17-12 overall record, and is currently 3-3 in Big South action. The squad has won three consecutive league games, including a 4-2 decision at home against Winthrop in their most recent outing on March 26. The Blue Hose, under the direction of third-year head coach Kama Tucker, are paced by Jill McLean with a .349 average, 24 runs and four triples. Kersten Legacki, a .345 hitter, leads the team with 24 RBI and 30 hits. Hope Rogers (.326) and Shelby Petik (.317) add to the offense, as well. In the circle, Presbyterian's Natasha Sherrod has a 4-0 record so far this season with a 1.47 ERA and 10 strikeouts.

Series History
Longwood currently leads the all-time series against Presbyterian, 8-5. Last season, the Blue Hose won two out of three games in Farmville, defeating the Lancers, 6-2 and 4-2, on April 26 before Longwood battled back to earn a 4-2 win on April 27 for Senior Day.

Streaks of Note
Megan Baltzell has reached base safely in 18 consecutive games, while also logging at least one hit in the last seven games. Katie Shinrock is also in the midst of a seven game hitting streak. Libby Morris has earned a win in her last seven-straight appearances in the circle.

NCAA Rankings
Through games as of March 23, Longwood is nationally ranked in the top 50 for five statistical categories. The Lancers are 26th in win/loss percentage (.739), 43rd in double plays per game (0.39), 44th in triples per game (0.26), 45th in earned run average (2.38) and 47th in stolen bases (1.56). Individually, Emily Murphy is ranked 14th in runs per game (1.17). Megan Baltzell is ranked as the 26th toughest batter to strikeout in the nation. She is also 24th with a .557 on base percentage and 25th with 0.39 doubles per game.

Big South Stats
Longwood currently leads the Big South with a .301 team batting average, a .443 slugging percentage and a .393 on-base percentage. Megan Baltzell paces the league in batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. Freshman Elizabeth McCarthy/Dunnsville is second in the Big South with a 1.94 ERA.

In the Circle
The Lancers' three-person pitching staff has helped the team perform well in 2014. Libby Morris has pitched a team-high 73.0 innings with 43 strikeouts and a 2.40 ERA en route to a 9-3 record. She set a new career-high with 10 strikeouts in a 3-0 win against Winthrop on March 22. McCarthy paces the squad with a 1.94 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 61.1 innings. Freshman Jenna Carnes/Six Mile, S.C. remains an undefeated 3-0 on the year with a 2.78 ERA in seven appearances. Together the trio has four shutouts and a 2.27 ERA. The Lancers' pitching staff has held opponents to just a .238 batting average in 2014.

Player of the Week Honors
Libby Morris earned her first career Big South Pitcher of the Week recognition on March 24. Emily Murphy was named Big South Player of the Week earlier this season on February 24.

On the Road
In 2013, the Lancers dominated on the road, compiling a 22-8 overall record away from Farmville, with an 11-2 mark in Big South road games. Longwood is 2-2 in true road games so far this season. Including neutral-site contests, however, the Lancers are currently 5-3 in 2014 when playing outside of Farmville.