GAINESVILLE, Fla. ā Longwood's gauntlet of non-conference games that features six power five schools began today at the Bubly Invitational in the Sunshine State. The Lancers started the Invitation with an offensive showing that powered Longwood to an 8-0 victory over Florida A&M. Longwood fell victim to 2019 Women's College World Series participant and No. 8 University of Florida in the nightcap on day one of the Invitational, 9-0.
Freshman
Lauren Taylor made an immediate impact for the Lancers reaching base in all five plate appearances for Longwood today. Taylor led the offense in game one with three hits and reached base twice in game two, working the count in her favor to draw two walks.Ā
In the circle,
Sydney Backstrom dominated game one picking up her second win of the season and adding to her strikeout total with 26 punch outs through only 20 innings of work.
Arleigh Wood relieved Backstrom in both contests today for the Lancers. Wood added 4.0 innings of work to her season total.Ā
Longwood will be back in action tomorrow for day two of the Bubly Invitational with a rematch against No. 8, the University of Florida, at 2:00 p.m. The Lancers will then immediately shift their focus from the Gators to Southeastern Louisiana University to conclude day two of the Invitational for the Lancers.Ā
Game 1: Lancers Offense Launches Longwood Past Florida A&MĀ
Longwood's (2-2) used a double-digit hit performance complimented by a shutout performance from
Sydney Backstrom and
Arleigh Wood to open the Bubly Invitational with an 8-0 win over Florida A&M (0-7).Ā
A&M loaded the bases in the top of the first, and Big South Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Sydney Backstrom maneuvered her way out of the inning with one of her three strikeouts on the day. Backstrom completed 4.0 innings of work in the circle and earned her second victory of the season before
Arleigh Wood entered in relief for Lancers in the fifth inning. The duo combined only to allow A&M four hits while striking out six Rattlers in the win.Ā
The Lancers scattered 12 hits for eight runs in the six-inning victory. Longwood secured the win in the bottom half of the sixth inning when
Madison Blair doubled to score
Destiny Martinez and
Kasey Carr to give the Lancers an 8-0 advantage in the sixth inning to end the contest.Ā
Offense in the early innings for the Lancers came off the bat of
Lauren Taylor, who went a perfect 3-for-3 in the victory with two RBIs and scored two runs herself. Taylor got the offense started and the Lancers on the scoreboard first with a single through the left side of the infield, allowing
Mason Basdikis to score on the play. In the fourth inning, Taylor found the left-field line for a double that scored Basdikis for the second time to give the Lancers their fourth run against the Rattlers.Ā
Joining Taylor with a multi-hit performance against A&M was
Destiny Martinez and
Mason Basdikis. The trio combined for seven of Longwood's 12 hits.
Sydney Jacobsen and
Madison Blair matched Taylor with two RBIs apiece in the victory bringing in six of the eight Lancers that crossed the plate to open the Bubly Invitational with a win.Ā
Game 2: No. 8 Florida Flashes Dominance Against Lancers
The No. 8 University of Florida Gators (7-1) showed why they deserved their top-10 ranking against the Lancers as the Gators offense was ready from the first pitch. Florida jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first inning as the Gators first six batters reached base safely in the inning.Ā
Florida added two runs in the second and fourth inning to secure a 9-0 advantage over the Lancers and pick up their seventh victory of the season.Ā
Longwood had four Lancers reach base in the loss with
Madison Blair, and
Nia Green recording one hit apiece in the loss.
Lauren Taylor and
Kasey Carr reached base working the count in their favor to draw the walk to give Longwood a threat of scoring.Ā
Sydney Backstrom and
Arleigh Wood combined for 4.0 innings of work in the loss allowing eight hits and nine runs. Backstrom will receive the loss and fall to 2-2 on the season.Ā
#GoWood
