The Longwood softball team split a home doubleheader against rivals Liberty University on April 5, losing the opener 2-1, before rebounding to take the second game 3-1. The Lancers now sit at 20-12, and move into second place in the Big South Conference.
The opening game was a pitcher’s duel between Liberty’s Julia Dimartino and Longwood’s Elizabeth McCarthy. Both pitchers were in top form, each going the distance across the seven innings. In the end it was Dimartino (7-7) who came out on top with the win, while junior pitcher McCarthy (11-7) suffered the loss despite a strong performance.
But Dimartino outshone her counterpart, giving up just one run on six hits. Dimartino picked up five strikeouts along the way, and Longwood head coach Kathy Riley spoke about the home side’s struggles against Dimartino.
"In the first game, I thought they did a real nice job of keeping us off balance," said Riley to the official Longwood athletics website. "We tried to string some things together which we weren't able to do today. One of the things we talked about between games was trying to come out and create some momentum, put pieces together and take advantage when we have runners on base."
The Lancer’s lone run came in the fifth inning when redshirt freshman third baseman Karleigh Donovan laced a triple to right field to drive in freshman Jordan Clark.
Donovan’s triple cut into the Flames’ lead after Alexia Taylor knocked in Liberty’s only two runs with a single in the top of fifth inning. It was one of five hits given up by McCarthy, who also struck out seven batters in the loss.
The strong pitching continued into the nightcap, as freshman Sydney Gay (8-4) matched McCarthy with a complete game of her own. Gay gave up just one run and one hit over her seven innings, and Riley hailed her performance.
"Sydney was real good all day long," Riley said to the official Longwood athletics website. "She spotted the ball real well and I never felt like she was in any trouble."
The Lancer’s offense came to life in support of Gay, grabbing a two run lead early on, scoring in both the second and third innings. Senior shortstop Emily Murphy capped off the night with a solo home run in the sixth inning, her second of the season.
Gay allowed her only run in the fourth inning off of a wild pitch, and the efforts of Gay and McCarthy were crucial against their local rivals.
"I thought both of our pitchers did a real good job today," Riley said to the official Longwood athletics website. "They didn't have too many hard hits against us. I felt like we were in control at most of the at-bats."
Longwood will look to take the series over the Flames on April 6, before heading on the road for a three game set with Auburn beginning April 8.
