CLINTON, S.C. — Radford's Morgan Cooper limited the Longwood softball team to four hits and Rachel Smith hit a solo home run as part of a decisive two-run third inning and the Highlanders hung on to defeat the Lancers in the 2025 Big South tournament, 3-1, at the PC Softball Complex on Friday.
Longwood, which saw its season come to a close with a record of 21-32, got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning with an RBI single to left field by
Maryanna Guy, then loaded the bases in the seventh against right-hander Dakota Redmon.
Pinch hitter
Bailey Bucholz started the rally, beating out a one-out bouncer to shortstop and
Sophia Pisacano coaxed a five-pitch walk. After
Kate Westmiller hit into a fielder's choice at second, Cassi Barbato pivoted and retired Bucholz with a throw to third base.
Avery Drake then beat an infield single to third to load the bases for
Avery Jefferson. Redmon then struck out Jefferson swinging to end the threat and the game.
"Not the results we were looking for today," Longwood head coach
Dr. Megan Brown said. "Very proud out the fight and grit of our young ladies this year. Excited for what the future holds."
Redmon threw the final 1 2/3 innings, picking up her second save of the season. Cooper improved to 11-10 on the year going 5 1/3 frames. She kept the Lancers off balance, striking out four and walking just two in throwing 75 pitches.
Radford took the lead in the bottom of the third as Grace Bechtol singled through the left side and stole second. Amanda Lee sacrificed Bechtol to third before
Morgan Strickland uncorked a wild pitch to make it 1-0.
Smith then followed with her 10th homer of the year on a 2-0 count to double the lead to 2-0.
After a pair of singles from Barbato and Kelley Feigen,
Erin Kirkland took over for Strickland in the circle and was able to avert out of further trouble.
Radford extended to 3-0 in the fifth with an Isabel Harrison RBI single to right field with two outs off of Kirkland, who pitched the final 3 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and two walks with two strikeouts.
Drake, playing her 224th and final collegiate softball game, finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored to lead the Lancers' six-hit offense.
Brooke Bennett, Guy, Bucholz and Westmiller had the others.
Radford (31-25) advances to play Winthrop later Friday.
