LONGWOOD, Fla. — Day two of The Spring Games went in favor of the Lancers as Longwood's (7-10) offense flexed it's muscle scoring 16 runs against Niagara (2-2) to take game one of the day, 16-2. Game two featured a combination of pitching and offense that led the Lancers to a 4-3 victory over Valparaiso (8-10) for the day two sweep.

Longwood's offense combined for 20 runs and 18 hits in 12 innings of play as leadoff batter Alexis Wayland led the way for the Lancers with five hits and seven RBIs. Destiny Martinez, Kelly Park, Mason Basdikis, and Nia Green join Wayland as the five Lancers who recorded multi-hit games, with Wayland being the only Lancers to record two multi-hit games in the sweep over Niagara and Valparaiso. 

Receiving the nod in both games of the double-feature was junior Sydney Backstrom (6-6). The All-Big South pitcher was credited with two wins and pitched 10.0 innings for the Lancers. In the two victories, Backstrom allowed only five hits and one earned run while striking out 13 batters on the day. 

The two victories improve the Lancers to 7-10 on the season and ends the three-game skid entering the day. The two-game win streak matches the longest of the season and is the third time this season Longwood has won back-to-back games. 

The Lancers conclude The Spring Games with a double-feature. Game one of the day is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. against the Bluejays of Creighton University. Creighton enters play fresh off of an 8-0 victory over Cleveland State. Longwood will then wrap up The Spring Games against Bethune-Cookman at 2:15 p.m.

Game One: Lancers' Offense Explodes for 16 Runs Against Niagara 

Longwood's offense could not be stopped against the Purple Eagles of Niagara. The Lancers used a season-high 13 hits, led by Alexis Wayland's three-hit and six RBI performance to defeat Niagara in five-innings of action, 16-2. 

The Lancers offensive explosion is the most runs and hits Longwood has scored this season in a single-game and is the most runs by the Lancers dating back to the 2014 season. 
 

Wayland was not the only Lancer finding success at the plate. Mason Basdikis, Kelly Park, and Nia Green finished with two hits each in the win, while Basdikis added two RBI's to her offensive performance. Nia Green was a threat on the base paths for the Lancers as the freshman stole two bases and scored a career-high three runs. 

The Lancers offense secured the victory and flexed their muscle in the fourth and fifth inning, scoring six runs in each inning. Longwood recorded nine hits and 12 runs over the final two innings of play as the Lancers defeated the Purple Eagles in a 16-2, five-inning run-rule decision.  

Junior's Sydney Backstrom and Arleigh Wood combined for 5.0 innings of work, allowing three hits and two earned runs. The duo struck out seven Purple Eagles while only allowing three free bases. Backstrom was credited with win her fifth of the season. 

Game Two: Last-Inning Offense Secures Day Two Sweep

A three-run second, complimented by solid pitching and timely hitting in the seventh led Longwood to their second victory on day two of The Spring Games as the Lancers defeated Valparaiso, 4-3. 

Continuing their success from the first game of the day, Alexis Wayland and Destiny Martinez recorded two hits apiece and one RBI apiece. Adding to her success at the plate, Martinez scored what would be the winning run in the top of the seventh of the Lancers. 

Freshman Nia Green got the Lancers on the board in the top of the second inning as Green flew out to center field that allowed Breeanna Huggins to score the first run of the game. Alexis Wayland continued her success from the plate in the inning with double to center field that scored Lauren Taylor from second base. Longwood added a final run in the inning on a fielders choice off the bat of Destiny Martinez that scored Leah Powell, giving Longwood an early 3-0 lead. 

Valparaiso responded in the fourth inning with two runs of their own and evened the score at three-all in the fifth inning with a solo home run off the bat of Morgan Matilin. 

Both teams were held hitless in the sixth inning, but Destiny Martinez singled to open the seventh inning of play for the Lancers. Martinez was then moved into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt from Sydney Jacobsen that allowed Mason Basdikis to put the ball in play and give Longwood the one-run advantage over Valparaiso. 

Sydney Backstrom, in her seventh inning of work made short work of the Crusaders in the bottom of the seventh to earn her second victory of the day and sixth of the season. Backstrom's eighth complete game of the season featured nine strikeouts while holding Valparaiso to four hits and one earned run. 

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