HONOLULU, Hawai'i –  Elizabeth McCarthy pitched seven shutout innings, as the Longwood softball team captured a 3-0 victory over East Carolina Saturday evening in the Outrigger Resorts Spring Fling Tournament.

Six different Lancers recorded a hit throughout the game, while McCarthy limited the Pirates to two hits and three walks while striking out four Pirate batters. With the win, the Lancers end an 11-game losing streak to improve to 3-12 on the season, while East Carolina falls to 7-13.

"It feels good to get a win against a quality opponent like East Carolina," said head coach Kathy Riley. "Biz really mixed it up well today and kept our spirits up offensively and defensively."

McCarthy (2-5) recorded the victory with seven innings pitched, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out four batters. McCarthy posted two one-two-three innings with the victory.

Ashley Cruise (2-5) took the loss for East Carolina, allowing three earned runs in five innings pitched with five hits and two walks. She also struck out two batters.
East Carolina had a chance to open the scoring after having runners reach second and third with two outs, but Mary Sloan Bradford grounded out into a force play at second base to end the inning.

The game remained scoreless until the Lancers were able to strike in the top of the fifth inning. Glenn Walters doubled with one out, before Casey Lifsey doubled down the left field line with two outs to bring home Walters.

Longwood added to its lead in the top of the sixth inning. Justina Augustine led off the inning with a single, before Megan Baltzell brought her home with a double to left center field. Kelsey Sweeney brought her home two batters later with a single through the right side. Later in the inning, Sweeney singled to bring home Baltzell and increase the Longwood lead to 3-0.

Augustine and Walters were each named to the All-Tournament Team for their efforts.

"I feel good going forward because we played three quality games in a row with great energy and positive spirit," Riley said

The Lancers will next play in the Hyatt Place Invitational tournament at NC State.  Longwood will open play March 13 against Binghamton at 9 a.m., before playing NC State at 3:45 pm.

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