FARMVILLE, VA – The Winthrop softball team erupted for 14 runs in a 14-3 victory over Longwood Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader before falling 3-0 in the second.

Winthrop's 14 runs against the Lancers are the most runs scored by the Eagles in game this year and the most allowed by Longwood.

The Eagles got the offense started with three runs in the first inning, with Mel Andrea knocking in two runs with a double.  She was then singled to third and scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-0 after one.

Winthrop (16-14, 4-3) put up another three runs in the top of the second.  Megan Winningham picked up a one-out, RBI single and scored three batters later when Alex White laced a double to right center, scoring Winningham and Andrea. 

Longwood (16-6, 5-1) brought on a relief pitcher to start the third inning, but it didn't quiet the Eagle bats.  Three of the first four batters reached base, loading the bases for Winningham who cracked a grand slam to left field for her third homerun of the season, putting Winthrop up 10-0 after three innings.

In the top of the fourth, Kristy Noble got the Eagles going with a one-out double.  After Maddie Antone grounded out, moving Noble to third, Paige Haley roped a double to left field, scoring Noble.  Kim Ryder then reached base on an error before Naomi Stevens hit a three-run home run to left center, her third of the season, to increase Winthrop's lead to 14-0.

Sara Allen had allowed the Lancers only four hits through the first four innings, but Longwood was able to break through in the fifth with three runs, but no more as the game ended after five, 14-3.

Allen gave up just the three runs and seven hits in five innings pitched and struck out two to move her record to 7-5 on the year.  Winningham finished 4-for-4 at the plate with five RBI and three runs scored.  Stevens, Andrea and Alex White each recorded two hits while Stevens had three RBI and Andrea and White each had two.  As a team, the Eagles finished with 15 hits, the second most this season.

The second game of the afternoon was a pitcher's duel.  Neither team threatened through the first four innings.  In the top of the fifth, the Eagles got two runners on with one pout but consecutive ground outs ended the half inning.

Longwood got all three of its runs in the bottom of the fifth.  The first run for the Lancers came on a throwing error by the Eagles.  Longwood worked its way around the bases for two more runs in the inning.  The Eagles couldn't get any other opportunities in their final two at-bats.

Dallas King was saddled with the loss after giving up three runs in 4.2 innings of work.  McKenzie Corn went 3-for-3 and Maddie Antone also collected two hits.

The Eagles and Lancers will finish off their three-game series on Sunday at 11 a.m.