LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Junior right-hander Morgan Strickland pitched her first complete game for the Longwood softball team, but Central Michigan scratched across a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to claim a 1-0 decision Sunday in the Cardinal Classic at Elmer Stadium.

Strickland (0-2) allowed just five hits, three walks and the unearned run, striking out three in taking a hard-luck loss.

After the Lancers were unable to score in the top of the eighth inning, despite moving Naleya Bridges to third with one out, Emma Lotus moved to third on a wild pitch.

Tori Briggs then stepped up and singled through the right side on a 1-2 offering from Strickland, bringing Lotus home to seal the win for Central Michigan (4-10).

"Definitely not the finish we wanted for today, but moved the needle in a lot of ways this weekend," Longwood head coach Dr. Megan Brown said. "That's this time of year. Move the needle, evaluate, grow, move the needle again, evaluate, grow, move the needle again. It's about the process. Small goals achieve big dreams."

Longwood's best opportunity to break the deadlock came in the top of the sixth. Avery Jefferson lined a double to center field with two out off of CMU righty Mackenzie Langan on a 1-2 pitch. Langan then uncorked a wild pitch, moving Jefferson to third and walked Brooke Bennett.

Pinch running for Bennett, Kate Westmiller stole second, putting runners on second and third for Sophia Knock. Langan got Knock to fly to center on the second pitch of the at-bat to end the threat.

Langan (2-4) earned the complete-game win, scattering three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.

Jefferson batted 2-for-4 with the double and a fourth-inning single, while Maggie Hiatt added a single to center to lead off the top of the fifth.

Briggs went 2-for-4 at the top of the Chippewas' lineup and Alyssa Hollo collected Central Michigan's other base hit, a single.

Longwood (5-12) next returns to action at Palmer Park in Charlottesville to face Virginia for the second time in eight days on Tuesday. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m., and the game will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.