BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Junior Elizabeth McCarthy of the Longwood softball team tossed a one hit shutout, as the Lancers picked up a 9-0 run-rule victory to complete the three-game series sweep over Gardner-Webb Sunday afternoon at Brinkley Softball Stadium.

McCarthy (14-8), a product of Dunnsville, Va., tossed 4.2 innings of no-hit ball in her second win of the series. The win comes on the heels of an 11 strikeout performance – one off her career-high – in Saturday's game one in which she gave up just a pair of hits.

"I thought we played a pretty good all-around game today other than a couple of defensive mistakes in the later parts of the game," said Longwood head coach Kathy Riley. "I thought we made some good changes from yesterday coming into today, especially with the bat."

Along with freshman Sydney Gay, the Longwood pitching pair combined for 29 strikeouts over the three game series and gave up just nine total hits throughout the three games to overwhelm the Gardner-Webb batters.

"I think it's a tribute to how hard we've been working," McCarthy said of the dominance of the pitching staff throughout the three-game series. "All four of us have been working really hard in practice with Kayla [Miller] and I think we're seeing the benefits to our hard work."

McCarthy's no-hit bid was broken up with two out in the fifth inning after Allie Barrick sliced a single that appeared to land right on the foul line. Barrick was one of just five baserunners that McCarthy allowed on the day with a pair of walks and a pair of Longwood errors.

"My defense had my back all game long and Bug [Batten] had my back behind the plate," McCarthy said. "Emily [Murphy] had to come all the way behind second to get to one ball in the third inning, so I really couldn't have asked for anything more from them."

McCarthy completes a week in which she gave up just three earned runs and nine hits over a three-game stretch that saw her work 19.0 innings and post a 3-0 record. The junior southpaw recorded a weekly ERA of 1.11 and allowed opposing batters to hit just .138 off her to go with 19 strikeouts.

"I was able to spot my two-seam better than I have in a while," McCarthy said. "Also, my changeup was good for me today. I was not only able to throw it up in the zone, but I was able to spot it too."

At the plate, the Lancers were led by their senior trio of Jamie Barbour, Carly Adams and Emily Murphy. Those three combined for seven of Longwood's 11 hits on the day with four RBI and six runs scored. Barbour enjoyed her fourth career three-hit day with a pair of doubles and a single, while Murphy homered for the second straight day.  

"It's really an important part of what we're doing. We're really confident in all three of our seniors atop the lineup," Riley said. "It's important for them to be our leaders both emotionally and with production because it really sets the table the rest of the way for us."

Since moving into the leadoff position in the lineup in the final game of the Liberty series, Barbour has recorded hits in seven of the nine games the Lancers have played. In addition, the senior first baseman has had both of her three-hit games this season with Sunday and the series finale against Liberty.

"It was great to have a good day for the team," Barbour said. "Batting leadoff, I want to try to get things going for our team and do whatever I can to get on base whether that's slapping, bunting or hitting."

Devyn Terry (4-7) took the loss, tossing 2.1 innings and giving up six runs, five earned, on seven hits and a walk. Summer Darnell came on to replace her and gave up three runs on four hits and a pair of walks.

Longwood got on the board with two runs in the first inning. Barbour led off the game with a double to left center, before Adams picked up an infield single on a weak ground ball. Both players would score on the play, as Terry threw the ball into right field.

The Lancers added to their lead with a two-run second. After Kelsey Sweeney earned a four pitch walk, Justina Augustine brought her home with an RBI double to left center. Augustine was able to take third on the play with a fielding error from Megan Champion at second base. Barbour would bring her home with her second double of the day.

Longwood added two more runs in the third inning. After back-to-back singles from Murphy and Walters, a Karleigh Donovan double to straight away center field brought home Murphy. Walters scored later in the inning following a Krista Kelly sacrifice fly to left field.

The Lancers added three more runs off a three-run bomb from Murphy in the fourth inning. It was the second straight day she has homered, as she moves within seven blasts of becoming the third player in Longwood history with 50 home runs.

Longwood returns to Lancer Field Tuesday with a midweek doubleheader against Norfolk State. The first game is set for a 4:30 p.m., start and marks the final home nonconference doubleheader of the season.

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