FARMVILLE, Va. — Senior right fielder Kayley DeVivi belted the first pitch she saw with two out in the bottom of the fifth for a three-run, walk-off home run as the Longwood softball team dispatched Presbyterian, 10-1, in five innings Friday at Lancer Field.
DeVivi's fifth blast of the season — the Lancers' second three-run poke of the game — helped Longwood (10-19, 3-1 Big South) to its fifth consecutive win over Presbyterian (11-23, 1-3). It was her second game-ending, three-run homer of the season, also smashing one to right field to finish the Lancers' 8-0 win over Fairfield on Feb. 17 at East Carolina.
DeVivi batted 3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs scored, the homer, a walk and five RBIs Friday.
The Lancers scored in four of their five turns at bat on the day to bring the game to an early end. Longwood outhit the Blue Hose, 10-5, and had six for extra bases.
Maggie Chapin improved to 10-9 in the circle with her eighth complete game, allowing just a fourth-inning unearned run, while striking out six.
"Very proud of our team's fight and playing as one. We needed everyone tonight," said Longwood head coach Dr. Megan Brown. "Excited for the growth. Lots of hard work ahead."
The Lancers got to Presbyterian starter Jenna Greene (6-8) to four runs in the bottom of the first, an uprising capped by Emily Vinson's three-run shot to left field with two out.Â
Lauren Fox led off the frame with a triple to the wall in left, extending her team-leading hitting streak to seven games. After a strikeout, Fox scampered home on a wild pitch with DeVivi batting for a 1-0 lead. DeVivi then walked, moving to second on a second wild pitch in the inning. Sophia Knock followed with a walk of her own, setting the stage for Vinson's second homer of the season.
Longwood added two more on consecutive RBI doubles by Korynna Anderson and DeVivi with two out in the second, making it a 6-0 game. DeVivi lined a second run-scoring double to left in the fourth to plate Fox, who beat a grounder to shortstop for a hit to begin the frame. Fox stole second to get into scoring position.
In the fifth, Avery Drake started things with a single to center field with one out. After Fox stung a ball that the shortstop snagged in the air, Anderson singled through the middle, setting up the DeVivi blast off of PC's Kasey Wolfe.
Fox went 3-for-4 at the top of the lineup with three runs scored, two stolen bases. Anderson also collected multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with a double and RBI in the win.
The teams conclude the series with a 1 p.m., doubleheader Saturday on ESPN+.