Box Score COLUMBIA, S.C. – Three different Lancers tallied one hit apiece, as the Longwood University softball team fell, 14-0, at the University of South Carolina (33-17) of the Southeastern Conference on Friday evening in Columbia, S.C. The Gamecocks scored seven runs in the third inning and five in the fourth en route to the decision. Ansley Ard paced South Carolina at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two runs and three RBI. Longwood (34-14) and South Carolina will play one more game tomorrow, Saturday, April 25 beginning at 1 p.m.
"My expectations are that our players come out and compete each and every day," said head coach
Kathy Riley. "Today, we not only failed to execute softball plays, but also failed to fight for what we wanted."
In the Lancers' first trip to the plate, junior
Megan Baltzell/Stafford drew a leadoff walk, but she would get doubled-up later in the inning. South Carolina got on the board in the home half of the inning on a RBI single to center field. Sophomore
Emily Murphy/Virginia Beach logged the first hit of the contest for Longwood in the top of the second, as she sent a base hit down the left field line, before the Gamecocks added one more run in their next at-bat.
Sophomore
Jamie Barbour/Amelia legged out an infield single in the top of the third, and after she stole second, Baltzell was intentionally walked, but both runners would be stranded there. South Carolina rallied in the next two innings, scoring seven runs in the home half of the third on four hits, and five runs in the fourth on five hits. In the Lancers' final chance at the dish, junior
Casey Lifsey/Portsmouth drew a one-out walk and sophomore
Rebecca Huitt/Bealeton, who had come on as a pinch hitter, singled to right field. Both runners would move into scoring position, however, Longwood was unable to manufacture a run, as South Carolina secured the 14-3 outcome.
Junior
Libby Morris/Dillwyn (3.0 IP, 8 H, 8 ER, 3 BB) and freshman
Jenna Carnes/Six Mile, S.C. (1.0 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 1 BB) split time in the circle in the decision.
