Longwood softball claims rubber game against Gardner-Webb

Published 5:44 pm Sunday, March 17, 2024

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Senior Korynna Anderson drove in all four runs and sophomore right-hander Maggie Chapin spun her second consecutive complete-game shutout as the Longwood softball team claimed the rubber match against Gardner-Webb, 4-0, Sunday at Brinkley Softball Stadium.

Anderson hit 3-for-3 with a double and a season-high four RBIs, and Chapin scattered three hits and six walks, striking out four, to propel Longwood (9-17, 2-1) to a Big South Conference series victory on the road.

“Great grit and fight today. Proud of our young ladies for playing together and as a team,” Longwood head coach Dr. Megan Brown said. “It takes everyone to do what we do and it only works if we work together. Lots of good growth. Back to work tomorrow.”

Breaking down the game

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Chapin and Gardner-Webb righty Andrea Lyon traded zeros for three innings before the Lancers broke on top in the top of the fourth. Senior Emily Vinson started things, lining a single up the middle with one out. Lauren Taylor followed, beating a play at first after a perfect bunt. Then, Anderson lashed one down the left-field line, scoring Vinson.

Chapin surrendered her first two hits of the day in the bottom of the inning — a leadoff bloop single on the infield to Araceli Pesqueira and base hit up the middle with one out to Ella Christopher — but Avery Drake caught a line drive at second and doubled off the runner at first to end the threat.

The Lancers loaded the bases in the top of the fifth with one out on a Kayley DeVivi walk and singles by Sophia Knock and Vinson. Following a strikeout, Anderson stepped up and crushed a 1-0 pitch from Lyon off the wall in left, missing a grand slam by a few feet. Anderson was thrown out at third, attempting to stretch her double into more, but not before clearing the bases.

Chapin (9-8) worked out of jams in the bottom of the fifth and seventh innings to preserve the shutout, her fourth of the season. Gardner Webb (21-10, 1-2) stranded eight runners on the bases.

Lyon (9-3) took the loss in five innings for the Runnin’ Bulldogs, giving up all four runs and eight of the Lancers’ 10 hits. Alli Stidham threw the sixth and seventh for GWU.

Longwood finished 4-for-8 with runners in scoring position and hit .471 (8-for-17) in opportunities to advance runners. Along with Anderson’s three hits out of the No. 7 hole in the lineup, Knock and Vinson collected two each, Taylor and Kate Westmiller also added singles.

What’s next for Longwood softball?

Longwood softball welcomes Virginia Tech to Farmville Tuesday for a 4 p.m., doubleheader. The games between the Lancers and Hokies, who are currently ranked No. 18 in the latest NFCA top 25, will be streamed on ESPN+.