CLEMSON, S.C. — Freshman Naleya Bridges lined a 1-2 pitch up the middle, scoring Korynna Anderson with two out in the top of the sixth inning and the Longwood softball team defeated Fordham, 3-2, in the Tiger Invitational at Clemson's McWhorter Stadium Friday.
Minnesota broke open a one-run game in the top of fourth of the Lancers' second game of the day, scoring four times, and the Gophers posted a 6-1 win as Longwood split.
"Lots of positives. Sustained growth takes time," said Longwood head coach Dr. Megan Brown. "Growing strong roots takes time and most of the growth is below the surface. But it is essential to reach the highest level of this game. Have to stay committed to daily intentional work."
Bridges finished 2-for-2 after entering the the opener as a pinch runner, later becoming the designated player.
Neleh Nogay had tied the game, 2-2, with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth inning off of right-hander Maggie Chapin, who improved to 7-5 in the circle with the win. She surrendered four hits, three walks and one earned run. Chapin struck out three, outdueling righty Devin Miller (2-4) and the Rams. Miller scattered six hits, two earned runs and two walks while fanning four.
Longwood (7-13) got on the board first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Lauren Fox led off with a walk and Emily Vinson followed, reaching on a fielder's choice bunt, with Fox moving to third on a throwing error. Kayley DeVivi then singled to plate Fox for a 1-0 lead. Next, Sophia Knock ripped a single to right-center field, scoring DeVivi to double the the lead.
Bailey Enoch hit a 3-2 pitch for a home run to left center to open the bottom of the first, but Chapin limited Fordham (5-11-1) to that run until the fifth-inning sac fly.
Knock went 2-for-3 with an RBI and was the only other Longwood player with multiple hits.
Minnesota (12-9) received run-scoring hits from Nani Valencia (RBI triple), Addison Leschber (pinch-hit RBI single) and Kayla Chavez (two-run single) in the decisive fourth inning that saw the Gophers send 10 batters to the plate.
Longwood cut into the lead with a run in the fifth to make it 5-1. Avery Miller started the inning getting hit by a Jacie Hambrick pitch before Avery Drake singled to put runners on first and second. Consecutive groundball outs then plated pinch runner Peyton Coleman.
Valencia added an RBI double in the seventh for the final margin.
Hambrick (2-2) earned the pitching win, going 5 1/3 innings. She gave up seven hits and struck out two. Bri Enter got the last five outs for her first save.
Er'ron Burton fell to 0-6 in the circle for the Lancers in 3 1/3 innings. She yielded four runs on six hits and a walk.
The Lancers are back in action Saturday at 3:30 against Mercer and 6 p.m., versus No. 10/11 Clemson. The game against the Tigers will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
