FARMVILLE, Va. — UNCG's Grace Loftin hit a 1-0 pitch from Maggie Chapin in the fifth inning for a three-run home run to center field and Laney Deane added a pinch-hit RBI single up the middle in the sixth as Spartans topped the Longwood softball team, 4-0, at Bank of the James Field Wednesday.

"Our game is a game of inches and individual pitches," Longwood head coach Dr. Megan Brown said. "Some games come down to 2-3 pitches. Tonight was one of those games. Saw a lot of positives. Have work to do to prep for the weekend."

Coming off of a dramatic doubleheader sweep at Queens on Tuesday, the Lancers carried the momentum into the early stages of against UNCG, putting runners on base in each of the first four innings.

Longwood's best scoring opportunity came in the third inning when Avery Drake's bouncing ball was mishandled by Hadley Gardner at second base. With Drake speeding around the bases, center fielder Loftin and right fielder Kaylyn Belfield collided in attempting to corral the ball, allowing Drake to get to third on the play with one out.

Avery Jefferson followed, hitting into a fielder's choice to shortstop with Jessie Shipley's throw to the plate arriving in time to cut down Drake.

Maggie Hiatt doubled to lead off the fourth, but next three batters went down in order as Longwood was again kept off the scoreboard by right-handed starter Salem Ward (13-5).

The first two Spartans reached to begin the fifth as Samantha Beck walked and Belfield singled through the left side of the infield. A sacrifice by Rylie Williams moved both runners up a base, setting the stage for the Loftin homer.

In the top of the sixth, Macy Michael walked against Er'ron Burton and moved to second on a wild pitch. After a pair of strikeouts, Deane stepped up and lined a single up the middle on a 1-1 offering to extend the lead.

Jefferson and Hiatt each hit singles in the bottom of the sixth, but Ward fanned Avery Miller and Sophia Knock to end the threat. Longwood then went in order in the seventh as UNCG earned its second straight win.

Ward allowed just five hits and struck out three for a complete-game victory in the circle. Chapin fell to 7-12 overall, going five with with four hits, five walks and three earned runs. She stuck out seven.

Jefferson and Hiatt each collected two hits apiece for the Lancers. Avery Miller had the other one.

Next, Longwood heads to USC Upstate for its final Big South games of the season. The series gets underway with a 1 p.m., Saturday doubleheader on ESPN+. The finale on Sunday will air nationally on ESPNU and is slated for a 3 p.m., first pitch.