BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – While weather has altered Longwood softball's schedule significantly over the past week, the Lancers finally took the field again today at Gardner-Webb University. The Lancers split the series-opening doubleheader to the Runnin' Bulldogs, dropping the first game 9-5 while winning the second 6-3.

Maggie Chapin started game one for Longwood (18-14), throwing 3.1 innings before being replaced by Er'ron Burton and Leigha Hill.

The Lancers took an early lead over Gardner-Webb (15-24), scoring on a Lauren Fox RBI single in the first followed by an Emily Vinson sac-fly to go up 2-1 in the second. The score would remain locked until the fifth inning.

Gardner-Webb's bats came alive in the fifth inning, scoring seven runs off of six hits to jump out to an 8-2 lead. The Lancers did their best to attempt a comeback, as Korynna Anderson homered and a big hit from Kayley DeVivi scored two. However, it was all little too late, and the Runnin' Bulldogs earned their first win over Longwood in program history.

Game two was a much smoother ride for the Lancers, who again jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Kayley DeVivi sent Jaden Pone home off of an RBI double followed by an RBI single from Big South Freshman of the Week Maryanna Guy.

The Lancers kept their foot on the gas pedal throughout the game, scoring runs off the bats of Lauren Taylor and Korynna Anderson in the second and fourth innings to go up 6-0.

All the while, Reggie Kanagawa was holding it down in the circle for Longwood. The redshirt senior threw a complete seven innings while striking out four batters in the process. Despite conceding a couple of runs in the seventh, Kanagawa stayed strong to even the series at one apiece.

"Pleased to see us make good adjustments today," said head coach Dr. Megan Brown. "Our team has fight and grit. It was good to see them come back strong."

Longwood is set to face Gardner-Webb in a series-deciding game three tomorrow at 11 a.m.

"Tomorrow will be a strong challenge," said Dr. Brown. "We need to come out strong and work to win each pitch."

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