3.2.2012

BOX SCORE

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Longwood University dropped a 12-3 softball decision to The Ohio State University of the Big Ten Conference Friday during the first day of the Citrus Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida near Orlando.  The Lancers (11-4) fell behind 4-0 in the first inning against the Buckeyes (11-5) and trailed 12-0 before scoring three runs in the final fifth inning of the game shortened via the eight-run rule.  Longwood was led freshman Megan Baltzell|Stafford (Mountain View) with one hit and two RBI, and senior Brittney Latka|Purcellville (Loudoun Valley) added an RBI, while junior Brooke Short|Hurt (Altavista) took the pitching loss.  Longwood will play two more games in the Citrus Classic on Saturday, March 3, in Florida against Fordham University of the Atlantic 10 Conference at 2:30 p.m., before facing Big East Conference school Georgetown University at 7 p.m.  The Fordham game will be video streamed live online at ESPN3.com (WatchESPN.com).
   
Longwood allowed four runs in the first as Ohio State collected three hits, a walk, and a hit batter.  The Buckeyes added two runs in the second on a two-run home run by Alicia Herron (1-2, 2 RBI), and OSU plated four more runs in the third courtesy three more hits, a walk, and an error -- the big hit a three-run homer from Melaina Saalfeld (2-3, 4 RBI).  Ohio State added two final runs in the fourth with a pair of run-scoring singles, including one by Saalfeld.
   
The Lancers scored three runs in the fifth, though it was not enough to continue the contest.  Junior Jordan Cox|Springfield (Robert E. Lee) (1-2) singled to lead-off followed by three consecutive walks to senior Ashley Kramer|Ashburn (Broad Run) (0-1), sophomore Marci Christian|Arvonia (Buckingham County) (0-1), and Latka (0-1, RBI) who earned the RBI.  Baltzell later added a two-out, two-run single, one of just two hits for Longwood while providing for the final nine-run margin.
   
Short (5-2) took the pitching loss for Longwood with the first 3.0 innings, allowing nine hits and 10 runs, nine earned, with three walks and three strikeouts.  Freshman Libby Morris|Dillwyn (Buckingham County) tossed the final 1.0 inning, yielding two hits and two runs, both earned, with one walk and no strikeouts.