Last Tuesday and Wednesday, the Longwood women's softball team lost one game to the University of Virginia (UVA) and one to future Big South contender Radford, giving them a 24-16 record. The Lancers now await a matchup against Virginia Tech today.
Runs were not plentiful in the Lancer's last three games. The team combined for only four runs in their past three games, something they are not accustomed to this season. Last Tuesday, Longwood took on UVA, splitting a doubleheader.
Against UVA in the first game, the Lancers allowed two runs in the third inning off a Cavalier two-run single. Longwood saw hits from Ashley Kramer and Katie Shinrock, but was unable to find their way to the scoreboard. Libby Morris pitched seven innings, allowing seven hits and two earned runs.
In their second game against UVA, the Lancers bounced back and won their twenty fourth game of the season off a couple of well-timed hits in the third inning. Katie Shinrock got the bats rolling in the innings with a one-out double, which was immediately followed by a Leta Bressin infield single.
Knocking in both runners was Kori Nishitomi with a double down the left field line to give the Lancers a two-run lead. Nishitomi herself was sent home as well, scoring off a two-out single from junior Brooke Short. Ashley Cornell pitched a seven-inning shutout for Longwood, only allowing three hits and striking out five.
Due to severe weather, the Lancers were only able to complete one of two games against Radford the next day. The Lancers scored their lone run off freshman Megan Baltzell's solo home run in the first inning. Her eighth of the season, Baltzell has had eleven multi-hit games this season to go along with an eight-game hitting streak early in the season. Unfortunately, her home-run would be the Lancers only run in the team's 4-1 loss to Radford. Ashley Cornell took the pitching loss for Longwood, allowing a total of only five hits, walking four, and striking out four more.
Eight games above .500, the Longwood women's softball team has lost four of their last five games, winning only one against the University of Virginia this past Tuesday. An impressive 14-2 at home, the Lancers host ACC contender Virginia Tech and Mid-East Conference contender Norfolk State this week, followed by a three-game series against number 12 Louisville next weekend.
Heading into this week, the Lancers are averaging around five runs a game, cashing in off 30 home runs, six triples, 55 doubles, and 166 RBIs. Kramer, Baltzell, and Bressin lead the Lancers in hitting, each above .300, and have combined for 49 of the team's 166 RBIs. Nishitomi and Brooke Short have combined for another 41 RBIs for the team.
Leading the team in pitching is 8-5 junior Ashley Cornell with a total of 39 strikeouts. She has surpassed all her previous career totals from the last two years. Over their 40 games, Cornell has accumulated 11 complete games, two shutouts, and one save in her 13 appearances, while Brooke Short has had seven complete games, two shutouts, and two saves. Freshman Libby Morris has twelve complete games, two shutouts and one save in her 19 appearances this season.
Today, the Longwood women's softball team plays a doubleheader at home against Virginia Tech of the Atlantic Coast Conference at 4 p.m., before playing Norfolk State in a doubleheader then tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. Following these four games during the week, the Lancers travel to the University of Louisville, who was recently ranked number 12 in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll.
