May 11, 2011

Box Score: #8 Georgia 8, Longwood 0 (5)
Box Score: Longwood 7, #8 Georgia 5

ATHENS, Ga. - The Longwood University softball team split a doubleheader at the eighth-ranked University of Georgia of the Southeastern Conference on Wednesday afternoon in Athens, Georgia, winning the second game 7-5 after a two-out, three run home run in the seventh inning by junior Courtney Long|Mechanicsville (Hanover) gave the Lancers (37-13) the lead. Longwood trailed 5-0 after the fifth inning, but scored two runs in the sixth inning and five in the seventh inning, including the home run by Long. Georgia (45-11) won the first game 8-0 in five innings. The Lancers end the regular season with wins in five of their last six contests and a 3-1 record against SEC teams.The NCAA Division I Softball selection show is set for Sunday, May 15, at 10 p.m. on ESPNU.

In the second game, the Lancers fell behind 2-0 after the first inning. The Bulldogs added three runs in the fifth inning on a three-run home run by Brianna Hesson to take the 5-0 lead. In the sixth inning, senior Maggie Margadonna|Sea Girt, N.J. (Wall Township) (2-4, 2 runs) singled to start the inning, then advanced to third on a double by sophomore Brooke Short|Altavista (Altavista) (2-4, 2 runs, RBI). Margadonna scored on a RBI single by senior Tricia Nelson|Plainfield, Ill. (Plainfield Central) (1-4, RBI), then Short scored on an infield single by senior Briana Wells|Romoland, Calif. (Paloma Valley) (2-4, run, 2 RBI). Wells retired the Bulldogs in order in the bottom of the sixth inning to set up the seventh inning. Senior Nichole Simmons|Chesapeake (Hickory) (2-4) singled to third base, then Margadonna reached on a fielder's choice with Simmons out on the play. Short followed with her second double in as many at-bats to drive in Margadonna and cut the lead to 5-3. Junior Ashley Kramer |Ashburn (Broad Run) reached on an error and Short advanced to third and then scored on a RBI single by Wells to cut the deficit to 5-4. Long cleared the bases with a two-out, three-run home run, her second of the season, to put the Lancers ahead 7-5. Wells retired the Bulldogs in order in the bottom of the seventh inning for the victory.

Wells (34-13, 2.38 ERA) earned the victory after giving up five runs, four earned, on six hits with one walk and one strikeout. Erin Arevalo (2-2) received the loss after giving up five runs, just one earned, on six hits with three strikeouts in two innings.

In the first game, Wells allowed just one base runner until a two-out home run by Megan Wiggins in the third inning gave Georgia the 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs scored seven runs on six hits and three Longwood errors in the fifth inning to win 8-0. Longwood had someone reach base every inning, but stranded eight runners.

Wells gave up eight runs, just three earned, on seven hits in the loss. Morgan Montemayor (21-3) earned the five-hit victory for the Bulldogs.

Longwood finished the regular season with an impressive 37-13 record, including victories in nine of its past 11 games. In addition to a 3-1 mark against teams from the SEC, the Lancers went 3-2 against the Atlantic Coast Conference and 2-1 against teams from the Big Ten. Longwood also posted a 10-2 record against in-state competition, including two-game sweeps of Virginia, Liberty, Hampton and Norfolk State. The 37 wins were the most since the 2004 season.