The Longwood softball team’s hot streak came to an end, as they were swept by No. 2 Auburn University in a three game road series. The Lancers came into the series having won seven of their previous eight games, but the trio of losses dropped the Lancers’ record to 21-15 this season.
Auburn hosted a matchup between two of the top-25 pitching staffs in the NCAA. But the Tigers, ranked second in the nation, simply had too much talent for Longwood to overcome.
The skill of the two pitching staffs was on full display in the April 8 opener, as the Tigers edged out a 2-1 win. Both sides combined for just seven hits, but the decisive one came from Auburn’s All-American third baseman Kasey Cooper, who hit a solo home run in the fifth inning.
Rachael Walters earned the win for the home side, giving up just one run on three hits, in five innings of work. Freshman Sydney Gay (9-5) suffered the loss, giving up just one run on Cooper’s home run, over three innings. Gay came on in relief of junior Elizabeth McCarthy, who also gave up just one run in three innings.
Head coach Kathy Riley praised the performance of her two pitchers, despite the loss.
"We gave up three hits to one of the best offensive teams in the country," Riley said on the official Longwood athletics website. "One of the things we did today was throw both a lefty and a righty. They threw different pitches because that's a team that does a good job of making adjustments while the game is going on."
Auburn struck quickly in the second game on April 9, racing out to an early lead with five runs across the first two innings. The fast start from the home side proved to be the difference, as the Tigers won 5-2.
McCarthy (11-8) took the loss, allowing five runs in just one-plus innings. Kaylee Carlson earned the win for the Tigers, tossing five innings, and giving up just one run on four hits.
In the series finale, the Lancers’ late comeback fell short, as the Tigers held on for a 6-5 win to complete the sweep.
Longwood trailed by three runs with just two innings remaining. But redshirt freshman third baseman Karleigh Donovan struck a solo home run in the sixth, before senior second baseman added one of her own in the final frame. However, the Lancers’ rally came up short, with the game-tying run stranded at second.
Lexie Davis earned the win for the Tigers, allowing two runs in 3.1 innings in relief, while Walters held on in the seventh inning for the save. Redshirt sophomore Sydney Mundell (0-1) suffered the loss, giving up three runs in 0.2 innings after coming on in relief of Gay.
Despite the sweep, Riley reflected on the positives of facing one of the best teams in the nation.
"Good competition breeds us getting better as a group," said Riley on the official Longwood athletics website. "We didn't get a win and we wanted a win. I feel like we played consistent, quality softball all weekend. That consistency is what we want because good teams are able to consistently play well.”
The Lancers hope to return to winning ways as they host Virginia Tech on April 13.