Longwood's softball team went undefeated this past weekend, improving their overall record to 11-3, clinching the Wilson DeMarini Longwood Spring Classic. After winning these four games, the Lancers now hold three titles and a solid winning streak at home of 8-0.
After conquering the Oakland Grizzlies in a double header on Friday, the Lancers came out strong when facing both the Iona Gaels and St. Peter's on Sunday afternoon. Junior Brooke Short racked up a total of five strikeouts and only allowed four hits when facing the Gaels. Freshman Libby Morris followed her teammate by allowing only one hit and striking out five in the victory over St. Peter's.
The victory over Iona was no easy feat for the Lancers, both teams going scoreless until the fourth inning. Fresh¬man Megan Baltzell (1-3) got the team going with a deep line drive double to center field. This allowed freshman Kori Nishitomi (0-2) to lay down a perfect sacrifice bunt, advancing Baltzell to scoring position on third.
Next up was Short (1-2, 1 RBI), who, with no hesitation, stepped up to the plate and hit a hard single to right field, allowing Baltzell to score. The Lancers held the Gaels scoreless for the remainder of the game, allowing Long¬wood to defeat Iona 1-0.
Against St. Peter's, Longwood would rally together to score early and often throughout the game. The Lancers gained an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Starting with a high fly ball double to left field by Baltzell (2-3, 1 RBI), St. Peter's would earn their first error of the game. With Baltzell on second, Nishitomi (0-1) hit a hard grounder, allowing the runner to advance to third. Short (1-2, 1 RBI) would be next up to bat, hitting a single through the infield, letting Baltzell score.
With a scoreless second inning, Baltzell would lead off Long¬wood in the third in¬ning with a solo home¬run, upping the lead to 2-0. Senior Leigh Sex¬ton (2-3, 1 RBI) would follow with a high fall ball, forcing St. Peter's to commit their second error of the game. Senior Ashley Kramer (2-4, 1 RBI) would hit an RBI single to right field, which permitted Sexton to score.
That was followed with an RBI double to left field by Junior Jordan Cox (1-2) and with a walk, the bases were loaded. Freshman Casey Lifsey (2-3, 3 RBI) would crank out an RBI double, allowing two more runners to score.
To round out the eventful inning, sophomore Leta Bressin (3-3, 3 RBI) would hit an RBI single up the middle, bringing the Lancers to a 6-0 lead.
After St. Peter's failed to score in the bottom of the third, Longwood would once again add to their lead in the top of the Fourth, starting with a single by Balt¬zell and an RBI double from Sexton. Sopho¬more Amy Putnam (0-2) would advance Sex¬ton to scoring position on third. After an RBI single for sophomore catcher Marci Christian, St. Peter's was forced to make a pitching change.
Even with that, the Lancers continued on their streak with two walks and bases loaded, Lifsey would hit an RBI single. Bressin would finish off the inning with a soaring RBI double, upping Long¬wood's lead to 11-0. The Lancers held St. Peter's from scoring in the fourth and fifth innings, which led to their defeat in only the fifth inning instead of the usual seven because of the slaughter rule.
The Lancers will look to add another tournament title to their belt this weekend at the Citrus Classic in Orlando, Fla. Their first game against Ohio State is set to start at 2:30 p.m. on Friday.
Freshman Libby Morris allowed only one hit and striking out five in the victory over St. Peter’s.
