CONWAY, S.C. – Needing just one win in its final regular season three-game series at Coastal Carolina to capture back-to-back Big South regular season crowns, it didn't take Longwood long to accomplish the feat.

Aided by a three-hit shutout from southpaw Elizabeth McCarthy and a one out RBI walk from freshman Kaylynn Batten in the top of the seventh, Longwood captured the program's second straight Big South regular season championship by winning game one of Saturday's doubleheader, 1-0, over Coastal Carolina at CCU Softball Stadium.

The teams split Saturday's doubleheader with the Chanticleers taking the second game of the afternoon, 7-4, on a walk-off grand slam from Mackenzie Conrad.

Longwood captures its second straight Big South crown to continue its dominance since joining the league, as the Lancers have won 27-of-31 series entering the final weekend of the regular season. In addition, the Lancers capture their 12th straight win, since falling in a series sweep at then No. 2 Auburn.

"I'm really happy with our girls and how they've handled themselves with the pressure that comes with playing each league game," said Longwood head coach Kathy Riley. "Anytime you win a regular season championship, it shows consistency throughout league play."

In her first career victory over the Chanticleers, McCarthy became the second player in program history to reach the 500 strikeout mark, joining Briana Wells. Needing just two strikeouts to get to the mark, McCarthy reached the milestone after striking out Mackenzie Conrad in the second inning of the opening day of the game.

"I came into the game very focused and I thought that was evident with the outcome of the game and my performance," McCarthy said. "I was happy with the way I spotted the ball and was able to get ahead against some of their batters."

McCarthy moves to within 67 strikeouts of moving past Wells for sole possession of Longwood's all-time strikeout record. The 2015 Big South Pitcher of the Year, McCarthy has struck out more than 145 batters in each of her three seasons at Longwood and is within two wins of capturing three straight 20-win seasons. 

"Biz was sharp all game long today," Riley said. "Coming out of final exams, you never know how long it will take to get back into a rhythm. She was well rested coming in and I thought she threw hard today and they had a little trouble catching up to it. She also spotted the ball well, so I'm extremely happy for her."

Emily Murphy hit her 47th career blast in the opening inning of game two of the day, moving to within three homers of becoming the third player in program history to hit at least 50. It marked her ninth of the season, as she moves to within one of hitting at least 10 home runs in three of her four seasons.

The Lancers will conclude its regular season schedule with the final game of the series at Coastal Carolina. First pitch is set for 1 p.m., Sunday at CCU Softball Stadium.

Longwood 1, Coastal Carolina 0
McCarthy became the second player in Longwood program history to reach the 500 strikeout mark, as Longwood captured its second straight Big South regular season championship in the series opener with a 1-0 win.

McCarthy was spectacular in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout with eight strikeouts and allowing just one walk. She faced 25 batters in the game and improved to 18-8 for the season. In her past two starts in the series finale against Radford and the series opener against Coastal Carolina, McCarthy has struck out a combined 20 batters.

Kelsey Dominik (16-11) took the loss, scattering five Longwood hits and five walks while striking out one batter.

Carly Adams led the Lancers at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance, including a double. It marks her fourth multi-hit game over a five-game span.

The Lancers took a 1-0 lead, as Kaylynn Batten worked a walk with the bases loaded to bring home Jamie Barbour for the game's lone run. Barbour popped up to second, but the ball was dropped by Angela Buccilli for an E4. Adams followed with a double that got through the gap, before Emily Murphy was intentionally walked. That brought up Batten who drew a walk to bring home Barbour.

Coastal Carolina 7, Longwood 4
Mackenzie Conrad hit a walk-off grand slam in a two home run and six RBI day for her, as Coastal Carolina captured the second game of the day, 7-3.

For the game, Conrad was 3-for-3 at the plate with two home runs, six RBI and a pair of runs scored. She was one of three Coastal Carolina players to record multi-hit games, as she was joined by Taty Forbes and Bri Chiusano.

The Lancers were led at the plate by Murphy and Karleigh Donovan, who each blasted a home run in the loss.

Ashley Guillette (10-6) earned the win for the Chanticleers, allowing four runs on four hits. She struck out seven and walked one batter.

Sydney Gay (14-6) took the loss for the Lancers, going the full 7.0 innings and giving up seven runs on eight hits and five walks. It marked her first loss and the first game she's given up more than three runs since the Lancers loss to then-No. 2 Auburn on April 10.

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