Longwood University Athletics

FARMVILLE, Va. -- The dynasty of Big South softball has a new leader in the dugout, and LongwoodLancers.com stopped by Lancer Field to see her in action.

In the latest edition of the Sights & Sounds series, first-year head coach Dr. Megan Brown donned a microphone and led the five-time Big South champion Lancer through a fall practice on their home field. A high-major coaching veteran with stints in the ACC, Pac-12 and SEC, Brown was named Longwood's new head coach in August, 2020, following the retirement of legendary head coach and 800-game-winner Kathy Riley. Brown, a three-time All-American during her record-breaking career at Florida Southern, was among the fastest-rising assistant coaches in Division I softball prior to her hiring at Longwood. Now in her second month on the job, she is leading a Lancer program that has won five of the past seven Big South championships and has long been a prominent flag-bearer of Longwood University.

Brown's first Longwood team is loaded with veterans, with fifth-year seniors Kasey Carr and Destiny Martinez returning after their COVID-shortened 2020 season to give the Lancers a six-woman senior class. Longwood returns its entire starting lineup from that season, headlined by All-Big South pitcher Sydney Backstrom and position players Mason Basdikis, Madison Blair, Nia Green, Sydney Jacobsen, Leah Powell, Lauren Taylor and Alexis Wayland.

Previous editions of the Sights & Sounds video series highlighted Longwood women's soccer and cross country, and more are on the way this fall. 

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