MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – College of Charleston's Taylor Belfiore drew a bases-loaded walk on a 3-2 pitch to help the host Cougars walk off a 2-1 winner over the Longwood softball team Saturday afternoon on day two of the Cougar Classic at Patriot's Point.
The Cougars (5-3) had to overcome a game-tying solo home run from
Karleigh Donovan a half-inning earlier, along with a strong start from Longwood (2-1) starter
Sydney Gay, who spun five innings of two-hit ball.
Gay and College of Charleston's Izzy Berouty (3-1) engaged in a pitcher's duel, as Berouty took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before Longwood outfielder
Jessica Smith broke it up with a one-out single. Berouty gave up one run on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts in a complete-game effort.
"The players battled hard today, we just ran into an outstanding pitching performance from College of Charleston," said Longwood head coach
Kathy Riley. "I thought we handled our at-bats well mentally and the pressure defensively we had from their baserunners."
After Longwood intentionally walked Jordin Jones, Belfiore worked a walk to bring home the game-winning run in Dexlie Inman after she led off the inning with a double for her only hit of the game.
On a day in which she joined Rachel Mills for fourth-place on Longwood's all-time strikeout list, Gay was credited with a no decision. The junior right-hander tossed five innings and struck out a pair and walked five, allowing an unearned run.
Freshman
Sydney Backstrom (1-1), making her third appearance in as many games, came on in relief of Gay start the sixth inning and was hit with the loss, giving up a run on three hits and two walks in 1.1 innings.
Donovan recorded one of three Longwood hits with her first home run of the season. Smith extended her hitting streak to four games dating back to the 2017 NCAA Knoxville Regional, while
Jordan Clark also had a single.
Yari Felix finished 2-for-3 with one run to lead the Cougars, who had four different players record hits on the day.
"My hope is that we will be inspired to work on things when we get home to allow us to adjust in situations like today," Riley said. "We're looking forward to playing tomorrow morning and getting back on track."
Longwood looks to close the Cougar Classic with a pair of wins against Northern Illinois and Iona Sunday, Feb. 18. The Lancers and Huskies will play a rematch of Friday's game at 10 a.m., before Longwood squares off against Iona at noon.
#GoWood
