TROY, Ala. – A dazzling pitching performance from sophomore Sydney Gay gave Longwood its first win of the season, as the Lancers split its doubleheader with Jacksonville and Troy throughout the day Saturday on day two of the Trojan Classic.
 
Gay's shutout bid lasted 6.2 innings en route to a 3-1 win over the Dolphins, before the Lancers fell in the nightcap to the host Trojans, 9-3.
 
With the win against Jacksonville, Longwood (1-7) head coach Kathy Riley moves to within two wins of claiming No. 700 in a coaching career that spans 23 seasons at Mount Olive and Longwood. In her 20th season with the Lancers, Riley has never had a season below the .500 mark.
 
Gay followed Friday's six strikeout performance against Troy with a seven strikeout effort against the Dolphins. On the season, the Longwood sophomore has had at least six strikeouts in three of her five starts with Saturday's seven punchouts marking a season-high.
 
Four different Lancers enjoyed multi-hit days with Kelsey Sweeney continuing her offensive onslaught throughout the weekend that has the junior with five hits in four games with a double, home run and three RBI.
 
Longwood concludes play in the Trojan Classic Sunday, Feb. 19 against Samford, beginning at 11 a.m. ET.
 
Longwood 3, Jacksonville 1
Backed by a two-hitter thrown from Gay and a two-run home run off the bat of Sweeney, Longwood dispatched the Dolphins to pick up a 3-1 win.
 
The win for the Lancers snaps a six game losing skid to open the year.
 
Gay (1-3) gave up just three Jacksonville hits throughout, limiting the Dolphins to one unearned run on those three hits along with seven strikeouts. The sophomore righty faced 28 batters throughout, allowing just seven Dolphins to reach base.
 
"It felt good to have positive results," said Longwood head coach Kathy Riley. "The girls put together a very nice overall game. Sydney pitched well and helped give us the energy to put together seven good innings."
 
After a day in which she went 3-for-7 at the plate on day one of the tournament, Sweeney's two-run blast to center field in the third inning proved to be the difference in the game. She was part of a middle of the lineup that combined to go 6-for-12 in the game, along with Kaylynn Batten, Glenn Walters and Karleigh Donovan.
 
Walters and Donovan also had their first multi-hit game of the year, each finishing with two hits and a run scored.
 
Alyssa Bilodeau (2-3) started in the circle for the Dolphins, tossing 2.2 innings and allowing three runs on six hits while striking out a pair.
 
Longwood opened the game's scoring in the second inning after Donovan led off with a single and immediately stole second. She was driven home on an RBI double to center field from Krista Kelly.
 
The Lancers tacked on a pair off Sweeney's first of the season an inning later, as Walters kept the inning alive with her second hit of the day, a two out base hit back up the middle. Sweeney then launched her 12th career blast.
 
The Dolphins (5-4) threatened in the seventh, loading the bases with one out, and scoring on an error. Gay then induced a ground ball to end the game and seal the win.
 
Troy 9, Longwood 3
Courtesy of a five-run second inning and backed by two hits allowed by Rachel Rigney, Troy (6-2) earned a 9-3 win over Longwood in game two of the day.
 
Rigney (3-1) allowed three runs on two hits while walking four and striking out five batters.
 
The Trojans were led at the plate by a 3-for-3 performance from Erica Davis and three RBI each from Madeline Porter and Stephanie Snyder.
 
Elizabeth McCarthy (0-3) took the loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits in one-plus inning. Sydney Mundell came on in relief and gave up just two runs on four hits in five innings.
 
Leanna Toler picked up her first career hit, as one of two Lancers to notch a base hit in the game.
 
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