Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

FARMVILLE, Va. – Freshman Justina Augustine/Warrenton was a perfect 1.000 (5-5) at the plate with a team-best five RBI and four runs scored to help lead the Longwood University softball team to a pair of wins against in-state opponent Hampton University (13-16) on Thursday evening in Farmville. The Lancers picked up an 8-1 decision in game one before taking a 16-1, mercy-rule victory in game two. Junior Megan Baltzell/Stafford (6-8) and freshman Taylor Hedrick/Fredericksburg (3-4) both hit .750 in the twin bill to add to the offense, as Baltzell registered two runs and two RBI, and Hedrick logged three runs and four RBI with her second home run of the season. Junior Chelsea Sciacca/Whittier (2-6, 3 runs) and sophomore Emily Murphy/Virginia Beach (4-8, 2 runs) notched four RBI apiece, as well. Freshman Elizabeth McCarthy/Dunnsville had the ball for a combined seven innings, totaling five strikeouts and no earned runs en route to the pair of decisions. Junior Libby Morris/Dillwyn, who started game one, also boasted a 0.00 ERA with two strikeouts in five innings of work on the day. Longwood (28-8) will welcome Big South Conference foe Campbell University to Lancer Field for a three-game weekend series on April 12-13.
 
"We've shown a lot of progress in the last two days, from the response at JMU yesterday to coming out here today and playing with a lot of energy," said head coach Kathy Riley. "Both games this evening showed a lot about our girls' character in terms of bouncing back and responding. If you look at this season, something we have done well is when we've had a challenge and didn't play well, we've been able to step back and get something positive to happen. Today was one of the most well rounded days we've had as a group because the defense was solid, the pitching was solid and the hitting was much better than we've had in the past few weeks. I'm really happy for our program."
 
Hampton threatened in the top of the first in game one with a triple to the corner in right field, but sophomore Jamie Barbour/Amelia (2-4, 3 runs) made a heads-up fielder's choice to cut the runner down at the plate on the next play. In the Lancers' first trip to the dish, Murphy led off with a base hit deep to the left side of the infield before stealing second and eventually scoring on a double to right center by Baltzell to put the home squad on top, 1-0. Morris quickly retired HU in the second, allowing Longwood to add two runs in the home half of the inning with a RBI triple by Augustine and a RBI double by Murphy. In the third, Hampton recorded a two-out, extra-base hit to straight-away center, but the squad was unable to capitalize, as Morris reacted in time to snag a line drive ripped back at her, ending the inning. Longwood then extended the difference to 5-0 when Augustine stepped to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded, and poked a base hit to left.
 
The Pirates came close to plating a run once again in the top of the fourth, loading the bases with a pair of hits and a Longwood miscue, but McCarthy, who was in her first inning of relief, managed to get out of the situation unscathed. Hampton was able to get on the board in the fifth, however, using a foul ball out to advance its runners to second and third, and a throwing error to score on the same play. Longwood was quick to retaliate, as Sciacca walked, Barbour singled and Hedrick drove a long ball over the fence in left to give the home team a seven-run buffer. The Lancers would hold the Pirates in the sixth and the seventh to secure the 8-1 win.
 
Longwood jumped in front in the first inning of game two, as junior Katie Shinrock/Fountain Valley, Calif. (1-5, 1 run) and Baltzell got things started with a walk and a double, respectively. Sciacca stepped into the box next, clearing the bases with a two-bagger to the gap in left center to give her squad a 2-0 edge. Hampton left one runner on in the top of the second, while the Lancers plated one in the bottom of the inning thanks to a RBI double to center by Murphy, making the score 3-0. The Pirates cut the difference to just two in the third, using a single, a walk and a passed ball to put runners in scoring position. The lead runner scored on a base hit by the next batter, but Shinrock made a strong throw to the plate to cut down the second runner and end the inning. The visitors would not come any closer, though, as the Lancers put together five hits for five runs in the bottom of the third to pull away, 8-1. Sophomore Carly Adams/Colonial Heights (1-7, 2 runs, 1 RBI), Hedrick, Augustine and Lifsey all notched RBI in the inning before Augustine scored the team's eighth run on a scoring error.
 
Hampton was quickly retired in the fourth when Baltzell threw out a runner trying to steal second. Longwood carried its momentum into the next at-bat, rallying for eight runs on 10 hits, including RBI doubles from Sciacca, Lifsey and Baltzell, and a solo homer from Murphy, to take a 16-1 lead. The Lancers held the Pirates scoreless in the top of the fifth, sealing the mercy-rule decision.