Box Score

TEMPE, Ariz. – The Longwood University softball team faced a 1-0 setback in a hard-fought, defensive battle at No. 7 Arizona State University (21-3) on Tuesday evening in Tempe, Ariz. Dallas Escobedo silenced the Lancer bats, hurling a no-hitter with 13 strikeouts, while Nikki Girard registered the game-winning RBI on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the seventh inning. Elizabeth McCarthy/Dunnsville went the distance in the circle for Longwood, allowing just five hits while striking out three to earn the decision. Longwood (6-4) will return to Farmville to host in-state opponent George Mason University in a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 12 beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Longwood and Arizona State combined for three runners left on base in the first, as sophomore Carly Adams/Colonial Heights was hit by a pitch and junior Chelsea Sciacca/Whittier, Calif. drew a walk for Longwood, and the Sun Devils logged one hit. Both sides went three-up and three-down in the second and third, and although ASU used a single and a walk to put runners on second in third in the bottom of the fourth, McCarthy forced a ground out and a foul out to get out of the inning unscathed.

After Arizona State accounted for the lone base runner in the fifth, the Lancers put a pair on base in the top of the sixth. Senior Amy Putnam/Poquoson walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Emily Murphy/Virginia Beach. Junior Megan Baltzell/Stafford followed with a two-out walk to put runners on first and second, but the squad was unable to capitalize.

The difference maker came in the bottom of the seventh when ASU notched back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners. Girard hit a grounder into play in the infield and Bethany Kemp crossed the plate before the play was made, securing the walk-off, 1-0 victory for the home squad.