Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

FARMVILLE, Va. – Sophomore Jamie Barbour/Amelia went 3-for-5 (.600) at the plate with two runs scored, one RBI and one walk to help lead the Longwood University softball team to a pair of wins against in-state opponent Norfolk State University (18-20) on Tuesday evening in Farmville. The Lancers earned a 2-1 win in game one thanks to a walk-off home run by junior Megan Baltzell/Stafford, and recorded a 3-1 decision in game two. Baltzell recorded a .500 average (3-6) on the day to bolster the team's offense, while classmates Chelsea Sciacca/Whittier, Calif. and Katie Shinrock/Fountain Valley, Calif. both hit .333 (2-6). All three pitchers on the Lancers' staff saw action in the twin bill, as junior Libby Morris/Dillwyn (5 Ks, 1 R, 4 H) registered the win in game one and freshman Elizabeth McCarthy/Dunnville (5 Ks, 0 R, 2 H) came on in relief to earn the decision in game two.  Longwood (33-12) will return to action tomorrow evening, Wednesday, April 23 when they host in-state opponent Virginia Tech in a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. at Lancer Field.
 
"There were several areas that the team did well in today," said head coach Kathy Riley. "I thought we played well defensively and pitched well. Norfolk State is tied for first in the MEAC, so they came in, put the ball on the ground and made us play. For the most part, we handled all those situations pretty well. Again, the things we would like to do a little better are hit the ball harder and string some things together. We've talked about it and we've worked on it, so we're just going keep our hopes alive that things start clicking for us as we get to the end of the season."
 
In game one, both Longwood and Norfolk State went three-up and three-down in the first inning and Morris struck out the NSU side in order in the second. The Lancers threatened in the home half of the inning, as junior Casey Lifsey/Portsmouth (0-3, 1 walk) was hit by a pitch before advancing on consecutive wild pitches, but she was stranded there following a good catch by the opposing center fielder. Norfolk State put a pair of runners in scoring position in the third thanks to a double and a bunt single, but the squad was unable to capitalize keeping the scoreless stalemate intact. Barbour registered the Lancers' first hit of the day in the home half of the third with a chopper up the middle, and after Baltzell was hit by a pitch, both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Shinrock. Sophomore Emily Murphy/Virginia Beach (1-6, 1 RBI) followed with an infield single to plate Barbour and give Longwood a 1-0 edge.
 
The Lancers carried the momentum into the fourth, as Sciacca lined a base hit through the left side before Augustine drew a walk, but the squad was unable to push either run across the plate. A Spartan runner was left on third in the top of the fifth after reaching on a two-base error, while Barbour and Murphy were stranded in Longwood's next at-bat following a single and a walk, respectively. The pitchers' duel continued through the sixth inning, although NSU would knot the score at 1-1 on a RBI single to left with two outs in the top of the seventh. The Lancers, however, answered in the bottom of the inning when Baltzell drove a solo home run over the fence in center to secure the walk-off, 2-1 victory.  
 
Freshman Jenna Carnes/Six Mile, S.C. (3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB) got the ball for Longwood in game two and retired the Spartans' side in order in their first trip to the plate. The Lancers made noise in their first at-bat, as Baltzell drew a leadoff walk and Shinrock legged out an infield hit, but neither runner would cross the plate. Norfolk State left two stranded in the top of the second before the Lancers broke the game open. Sophomore Carly Adams/Colonial Heights (1-5, 1 run) got things started with a walk before freshman Justina Augustine/Warrenton (0-4, 1 run, 1 walk) was hit, bringing up Barbour, who bunted for a RBI single. Baltzell followed with a hard shot through the right side to score Augustine and give the Lancers a 2-0 advantage.
 
The Spartans used three hits, including a RBI double to right, to cut the difference in half in the third, and although Sciacca recorded a two-bagger of her own in her next chance, the margin remained 2-1. McCarthy came out of the bullpen in relief in the fourth, fanning the first three batters she faced, which allowed the Lancers to extend their lead in the bottom of the inning. Barbour walked and Baltzell singled before Shinrock put the ball on the ground to the pitcher, forcing a bad throw and scoring Barbour to give her squad a 3-1 lead. Each side got on hit in the fifth, but was unable to capitalize, with the Lancers getting a single to right by Adams. Baltzell hustled around the bases for a three-base fielding miscue by the Norfolk State right fielder in the home half of the sixth, although she would not advance further. The home team was then able to record three more outs in the top of the seventh to seal the 3-1 decision.
 
Longwood and Norfolk State have now met 21 times in the sport of softball. The Lancers are now undefeated in the all-time series.