FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood softball team split its doubleheader against Liberty Tuesday evening at Lancer Field, as the two teams opened play in a crucial three-game midweek series.

Liberty took the opening game of the day, 2-1, as Liberty pitcher Julia Dimartino tossed a complete game. Meanwhile, Sydney Gay tossed a one-hitter in the second game of the day, leading the Lancers to a 3-1 victory in the nightcap.

"In the first game, I thought they did a real nice job of keeping us off balance," said head coach Kathy Riley. "We tried to string some things together which we weren't able to do today. One of the things we talked about between games was trying to come out and create some momentum, put pieces together and take advantage when we have runners on base."

Coming off a three-hit shutout in her most recent start, Gay gave up just one hit on a one out triple to right center field in the fifth inning. It marked the third straight game that Gay has allowed less than three hits, as the reigning Big South Player of the Week is 3-0 in each of her last three starts and has yielded just one run in her last 19.1 innings.

"Sydney was real good all day long," Riley said. "She spotted the ball real well and I never felt like she was in any trouble."

Elizabeth McCarthy was also strong in the circle in game one, giving up just two runs on five hits in the first game of the day.

Together, McCarthy and Gay combined for 16 strikeouts in the game, as the dynamic pair lowered the team's ERA to a Big South-best 2.17 for the season. That also ranks among the top-25 in the nation.

"I thought both of our pitchers did a real good job today," Riley said. "They didn't have too many hard hits against us. I felt like we were in control at most of the at-bats."

Senior Jamie Barbour led the Lancers at the plate, going 3-for-4 on the afternoon. Emily Murphy also notched three hits, including a home run in the second game and two RBI.

The rubber match of the three-game series between Longwood and Liberty is set for Wednesday, as the winner of that game will be in first place in the Big South standings. First pitch is set for 3 p.m., at Lancer Field.

Liberty 2, Longwood 1



Liberty scored a pair of runs in the fifth inning off an Alexia Taylor single to right field, as that proved to be the difference in the game in a 2-1 victory for the Flames in the opening game of the series.

Both starting pitchers – who came into the game among the top-three in the Big South in ERA – were strong in the circle, each tossing a complete game and recording at least five strikeouts.

For Longwood, McCarthy tossed 7.0 innings and allowed two runs on five hits and four walks, while striking out seven batters. Meanwhile, Dimartino was equally as strong for the Flames, going 7.0 innings and giving up one run on six hits while striking out five.  

After the Flames had just three baserunners over the first four innings, Liberty loaded the bases with two out in the inning. Taylor came through on the first pitch of the at-bat with a single to right field that scored Jaclyn Amader and Taylor Mabry.

The Lancers answered in the bottom of the inning, as Jordan Clark – who came on to pinch run for Kelsey Sweeney – scored on a Karleigh Donovan triple to right field.

Longwood 3, Liberty 1



Gay worked a one-hitter, marking her third straight start in which she has yielded three hits or less, as Longwood picked up a 3-1 victory in the nightcap.

Gay (8-4) was fantastic once again for the Lancers in the circle, giving up just one hit in a complete game effort.

The rookie matched her career-high with nine strikeouts in the contest, marking the third time this season she has posted nine strikeouts.

Over the past week, Gay has yielded just two runs in 19.1 innings and has allowed just four hits in her past 14.0 innings of work. With that stretch, the rookie lowered her ERA to the Big South's lone sub-2.00 mark of the season.

Stephanie Marlowe (0-2) took the loss for the Flames, allowing two runs, one earned on three hits and a walk while striking out one batter. Chandler Ball came on in relief in the third inning and gave up just one run off two hits.

The Lancers scored the first run of the game in the second inning. Kaylynn Batten led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Justina Augustine. She later came around to score, as Taylor overthrew second base on a pickoff attempt.

The blue and white added a run in the following inning off a fielder's choice from Murphy to third base to allow Donovan to score.

The Flames added their run in the next half inning without the benefit of a hit, as Blair Lawrence scored on a wild pitch from Gay.

Murphy became the third player in Longwood history to hit 40 home runs in the sixth inning with her second blast of the season.

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