FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood outfielder Glenn Walters came into Friday's series opener against Campbell in desperate need of a hit. So when umpires ruled her potential bases-loaded triple a foul ball in the first inning, frustration could have easily set in.
 
But Walters, the senior and nearly 200-game veteran, simply stepped back into the box for her next swing.
 
What a swing it was.
 
On the next pitch, Walters mashed her first career grand slam to spark an offensive explosion that saw Longwood erupt for a season-high 15 runs in a 15-4 run-rule takedown of Campbell (14-18, 4-6 Big South) in game one of the three-game Big South series.
 
The Lancers (19-10, 6-1 Big South) have now won 10 of their past 12 games and are one game behind Liberty for first place in the Big South.
 
Walters spearheaded Friday's charge, driving in a career-high six RBI and finishing 2-for-3 at the plate with her first-inning grand slam and a two-run double in the fourth. The breakout performance was a long time coming for the four-year starter and two-time All-Big South outfielder, who entered the game on a nine-game hitless drought that was the longest of her career.
 
"The best thing about it was we really wanted her to have some success," Riley said of Walters, who has played in and started more games than any player on Longwood's roster.
 
"She's really struggled so far this year, and it's always tough for a senior to not play their best. For her to come into this game and relax enough that she trusted herself, that's the most important thing. You saw her after she hit that triple and then they ruled it foul, she didn't get upset. She just walked back into the box. She looked really comfortable in all of her plate appearances today."
 
Walter's hot bat was contagious, as seven Lancers drove in at least one run and eight of the nine starters had a hit. Kasey Carr continued the torrid pace of her sophomore campaign, driving in a career-high three RBI to extend a 15-game tear in which she is hitting .463 with 11 RBI.
 
Even Longwood's bench got in on the onslaught, as senior Haleigh Kilby delivered a pinch-hit two-run single as part of a five-run fourth inning that put Longwood in line for the run-rule victory.
 
"Coach told us to score early and not let down," Walters said. "That's what we did – we just jumped on the ball."
 
All-Big South starter Sydney Gay (13-6) was the biggest beneficiary of that run support, earning her 13th win of the season with a cool 4.0 innings of work. The junior ace scattered two hits and two runs while striking out five Campbell batters to win for the seventh time in her past eight decisions.  
 
The lone blemish on Gay's night came in the third inning when Campbell shortstop and three-hitter Caroline Smith tagged her for a two-out, two-run homer. However, Gay bounced back with a 1-2-3 fourth inning before handing the ball to senior Sydney Mundell, who cleaned up the run-rule win by working the fifth.
 
The Lancers and Camels get back at it Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Lancers Field. Both games of the doubleheader will air on the Big South Network with Darius Thigpen and TJ Wengert on the call.
 
#GoWood