CONWAY, S.C. – The Longwood University softball team travels to Conway, S.C. to take on Big South Conference foe Coastal Carolina University in a three-game series for first place in the league standings. The squads will square off in a doubleheader on Friday, April 18 beginning at 1 p.m. before wrapping up with a single game on Saturday, April 19 at 1 p.m. Live, in-game statistics will be available for all three contests on www.goccusports.com.
 
Looking at Longwood
The Lancers have won six of their last seven games to improve to 31-9 overall and 14-3 in the Big South. The team battled back from a five-run deficit to earn a 6-5 victory against Elon University earlier this week on April 16. In that outing, freshman Justina Augustine/Warrenton stepped up with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh and ripped line drive to deep center, plating the winning run and securing the walk-off win. Through 40 games, junior Megan Baltzell/Stafford paces Longwood with a .475 average, 57 hits, 40 runs, 38 RBI and an .833 slugging percentage. Ranked fifth in the nation in career slugging percentage (.824), Baltzell also leads the squad with seven home runs and 23 walks. Juniors Casey Lifsey/Portsmouth and Katie Shinrock/Fountain Valley/Calif. have helped fuel the offense with .354 and .336 averages, respectively, while sophomore Emily Murphy/Virginia Beach adds six home runs and a team-high 21 stolen bases. In the circle this season, freshman Elizabeth McCarthy/Dunnsville, who is 14-4 so far, is first on the team with a 1.70 ERA and 97 strikeouts. Junior Libby Morris/Dillwyn owns a 14-5 record with a pair of saves and three shutouts, as well.
 
Scouting Coastal Carolina
The Chanticleers are 30-13 overall in 2014 with a 12-3 record in Big South games. The team won its most recent outing earlier this week, taking a 7-2 decision against Charleston Southern on April 16. Coastal Carolina, under the direction of head coach Kelley Green, is paced by Bri Chiusano with a .413 average, 52 hits, 47 runs and 38 stolen bases. Morgan Noad, who is hitting .320, leads CCU with a .625 slugging percentage, while Kory Hayden is batting .303 with a team-high 15 home runs. In the circle, the Chants will look to Kiana Quolas, who holds an 18-5 record this season with a 0.95 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 154.1 innings pitched.
 
Series History
The Lancers and the Chants have met nine times in the sport of softball. Coastal Carolina currently holds a 6-3 edge over the Lancers in the all-time series after sweeping three games in Farmville last year.