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FARMVILLE, Va. – Senior Carly Adams and freshman Kaylynn Batten combined for five hits and six RBI, as the Longwood softball team strung together a season-high 15 hits en route to an 8-2 victory over Winthrop Friday night at Lancer Field.

Adams, a product of Colonial Heights, Va., put together her second consecutive 3-for-4 performance and drove in three runs and scored a run. It marked the fourth three-hit game for the senior, who raised her batting average to a team-best .354 on the season.

"I came out feeling really good," Adams said. "I was excited.  I had a good day, and my teammates were there for me to hit in.  I really enjoyed today. If I keep hitting like I'm hitting, we're going to do good things as a team. It takes a lot of people to play well, and I'm glad that I can be a part of that."

Since missing nine games earlier this season and recording just three hits in her first eight games played, Adams has been on a tear of late. Over her last 12 games, the senior second baseman has notched hits in 11 games with multiple hits in five of those contests. She extended her hitting streak to five straight and has RBI in three of those contests with the performance.

Meanwhile, Kaylynn Batten went 2-for-3 at the dish with three RBI of her own. It marked her team-leading third game this season driving in three or more runs.

"I was just trying to play relaxed and clear-minded today," Batten said. "We all came in ready to win today. We were hungry, so going up to the plate, I knew I needed to bring my teammates in and help us score runs.

Longwood (17-11, 5-2 BSC) captured its third straight victory of the season, belting out a season-high 15 hits. Friday's game marked the third straight game in which the Lancers tallied double figure hits, as the squad has scored 7.3 runs per game during the stretch.

"Each season is all about winning one game at a time and I was excited about how we played tonight," said head coach Kathy Riley "A couple of kids did a great job of handling their at-bats and staying aggressive. If we can do that on a regular basis as the season progresses, we'll have some good depth throughout our lineup."

Adams, Batten and senior Jamie Barbour led the charge at the plate, combining for eight of Longwood's 15 hits. In addition, Kelsey Sweeney notched a pair of hits to extend her hitting streak to three straight games, while scoring a pair of runs.

Junior Elizabeth McCarthy (10-6) earned the win with the complete game effort, as she allowed two runs on seven hits and a strikeout. The performance lowered her Big South-best ERA to 2.21 for the season, as the reigning Big South Pitcher of the Year has allowed just three games this season in which she gave up more than two earned runs.

"Defensively, I thought we were sharp tonight," Riley said. "If you look at our team, pitching is one of the things we do real well, and defense is the other thing."

Chace Helms (1-8) took the loss for Winthrop (12-26, 2-7 BSC). She went 1.1 innings, allowing five three runs on five hits. She was relieved by Kiley  Majette who worked 3.2 innings and gave up five runs on nine hits while striking out a pair.

The Longwood offense struck in four of six innings in which it came to the plate. The Lancers took the lead to open the game in the bottom of the first inning, as Batten ripped her first RBI of the day back up the middle to score Adams.

The Lancers loaded the bases in the second inning, as Krista Kelly – who returned to the lineup after missing three straight games – Karleigh Donovan and Barbour each notched singles. Adams would bring home Sweeney, who reached on a fielder's choice, and Donovan with a two out single to left center.

Winthrop brought the deficit to two runs in the third inning, as Morgan Lowers notched a two out single through the left side to bring home Majette.

Longwood scored three runs in the fourth to extend its lead further to 6-1. Adams notched her third RBI of the game to score Jordan Clark. Batten followed two batters later with a two-RBI single back up the middle to score Glenn Walters and Barbour.  

The Lancers tacked on to its lead one inning later, courtesy of back-to-back triples from Donovan and Barbour.

Longwood and Winthrop close out the three-game series with a doubleheader Saturday, April 2. First pitch is set for 1 p.m., with both games to be broadcast on Big South Network.

"Tomorrow, we're going to come out and take it one game at a time," Riley said.

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