FARMVILLE, Va. – Sydney Backstrom tossed four scoreless innings to earn the win in game one of the day before the Lancers rallied two times in game two, as Longwood extended its win streak to six straight in taking a Saturday doubleheader at Lancer Field.

Backstrom tossed four scoreless to earn her ninth win of the season in a 4-2 Longwood victory in game one of the day before putting together rallies of five runs and three runs in an 11-10 win in game two of the day.

With the pair of wins, the first-place Lancers (20-11, 7-1 Big South) match their longest win streak of the season with six in a row, as Longwood has won 13 consecutive series dating back to the 2017 season. The latest effort comes against a Campbell (16-18, 7-4 Big South) that came into the day in second place in the league standings.

"Some of the things we do at a high level, we did real well again today," said Longwood head coach Kathy Riley. "We did a nice job of hitting with runners on base and we also did a great job of fighting back. We never let ourselves get down in the entire 14 innings and that helped us get out of the hole in the second game."

Kaylynn 'Bug' Batten led the Lancers at the plate throughout the two games, going 5-of-7 with three runs scored, two RBI with one double, one home run. Coming off five RBI in Tuesday's win over Marshall, Alexis Wayland finished her day 3-of-7 with two runs, two RBI, while Karleigh Donovan had five RBI in game two of the day and had a pair of hits. Jordan Clark and Jenna Dunn also finished with a pair of hits throughout the day.

Throughout her last seven games, Batten, the Big South Preseason Player of the Year, has hit .385, leading the Lancers with eight runs while also recording seven RBI.
In that stretch, Batten has hits in six of seven games with three multi-hit performances.

In the circle, Arleigh Wood picked up her fourth straight win, allowing two runs on two hits in four innings of work. Backstrom also tossed four scoreless innings out of the bullpen in game one, along with five strikeouts.  

Longwood will look to complete the series sweep Sunday, March 31, as the Lancers and Camels are set for a 1 p.m. first pitch on ESPN+.

Game 1: Longwood 4, Campbell 2

Backstrom tossed four scoreless innings and out of the bullpen and faced one batter over the minimum, as Longwood capitalized on a three-run second inning in a 4-2 series-opening win over Campbell.

The win for Backstrom was her fourth in her last four appearances, as she racked up five strikeouts. It marked the fourth time in her last five appearances that Backstrom has struck out at least five batters, extending back to her career-high 10 strikeout performance in game two of the series against Winthrop.

"Slim's [Sydney Backstrom] came through with flying colors with her effort in game one," Riley said. "It was something that we needed and she didn't put us under a lot of pressure in a tight game which relieves the offense too in that situation."

At the plate, Batten and Dunn each finished with a pair of hits to lead the Lancers while Chelsea Whitcomb plated a pair. Kasey Carr also added a hit, as Longwood finished with five hits.

Longwood scored three runs in the third inning, two coming on a Campbell error with Whitcomb batting.

Sydney Gay got the start and picked up the no decision, throwing three innings and allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits and a pair of walks on 62 pitches.

Haley Hutchins went the distance in the circle for the Camels, allowing four runs, two earned, on five hits and a walk while facing 26 batters, throwing 82 pitches, 57 for strikes.

Kayla Fredendall led Campbell at the plate, going 2-for-4 and hitting a two-run blast to account for both of Campbell's runs.

Game 2: Longwood 11, Campbell 10

A six-run third inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Donovan led Longwood to a comeback 11-10 win in the second game of the day.

Donovan's blast, her first of the season, was part of a big 2-for-3 day with a season-high five RBI. Donovan was one of four different Lancers to finish with a multi-hit game, joined by a pair of 3-for-4 performances from Batten and Wayland while Clark added a pair of hits.

"Today was a microcosm of who we are right now and the strength of our team is resiliency and not letting the pressure bother us," Riley said.
Along with Leah Powell at the top of the order, Longwood's 1-5 hitters combined for 11 of Longwood's 12 hits in the game.

Wood (4-0) picked up her fourth consecutive win in the circle, allowing two early runs but settling in nicely. Wood allowed two runs on two hits while walking five and striking out a pair. The sophomore righty allowed five baserunners in her last three innings and escaped a bases loaded jam with one away in the game's final inning with a popup and strikeout.

"Arleigh did a good job with people on base, coming through in pressure situations," Riley said. "Arleigh can be a really good pitcher for us. It's just a matter of confidence and learning to trust ourselves."

Backstrom earned the start with 1.2 innings, allowing four runs on two hits and three walks. Gay also made her second appearance of the day, throwing 1.1 innings and giving up four runs on four hits.

Hutchins took the loss, allowing one run on three hits in 2.2 innings. Megan Richards and Lexi Head also made appearances in the game.

Fredendall led Campbell at the dish, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, two RBI.

#GoWood