Rock Hill, S.C. — The Winthrop softball team dropped a doubleheader against Longwood in two close games, Saturday afternoon at Terry Field. Winthrop fell 2-1 in the opening game and 6-4 in game two.
GAME INFORMATION
RECORDS: Winthrop (14-16, 2-5 Big South) | Longwood (15-13, 5-0 Big South)
WINTHROP LEADERS: Bailey Warren (1-for-5, R, SB) |
Kaitlyn Tucker (1-for-5, R, BB. HBP)
WHAT HAPPENED
Game 1
- Lancers jumped on the Eagles early, pushing two runs across in the top of the first on a trio of hits and an error that allowed both runs to score
- Madyson Watson bounced back in the second inning getting the Lancers to go down in order
- Eagles showed some strong defense in the fifth inning as Vianna Rodriguez showing off some glove in the fifth tracking down a fly ball at the right field foul fence reaching over and making the catch for the first out
- Then Madyson Watson finished out the inning with a double play catching a weak line drive and making the throw on her knees to first to pick off the runner on first
- Winthrop had its first scoring threat in the bottom of the sixth as Macy McCall reached on a bunt single and then moved into scoring position by stealing second
- But McCall was stranded after Lauren King popped up to short and Watson fouled out to the catcher
- Ansley Gilreath walked for the second time of the day, Reema Patel would come into pinch run to get the Eagles off to a good start in the seventh
- Taylor Charlton put a ball in right center to move Patel to third, but was caught trying to reach second for the first out
- Patel came around to score on a single to center field from Ashley Westbrooks
- Kaitlyn Tucker followed up with a walk and Westbrooks advanced to second stealing third
- Eagles were unable to score any more runs as Rodriguez and Bailey Warren grounded out
WHAT HAPPENED
Game 2
- Longwood was the first to score with a solo home run by Lauren Taylor and then Kasey Carr had an RBI single in the second inning
- Rodriguez reached base after getting hit on the wrist to lead off the bottom of the third
- Bailey Warren walked and then both advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Ashton Vanhouse
- McCall followed with a ball to third, Lancers attempted to throw out Rodriguez at home, but the throw was not in time allowing McCall to advance to second and Warren to third
- King came up and put a ball in right field to score Warren and tie the game with one out at 2-2
- The Eagles looked to do more damage when Gilreath hit a line drive single to left field with two outs to plate McCall and give the Eagles the lead 3-2
- Leading off in the bottom of the fourth Tucker reached base after getting hit on the foot
- Rodriguez walked but was out at second on Warren's grounder to short stop
- Warren stole second putting runners on second and third
- Charlton came into pinch hit for Vanhouse and scored Tucker on a sacrifice fly to deep left
- With two outs Lancer's score a pair of runs on a single and two-run homerun by Alexis Wayland before a thirty-minute game delay would be in effect due to lightning
- First pitch back from the delay, Nia Green hit a solo homerun off the left field pole for the lead
- Longwood added another run for a 6-4 lead in the sixth when Taylor scored on a ground out by Carr
- Rodriguez led off in the bottom of the sixth drawing a walk and moved to second on a bunt single from Warren
- Vanhouse loaded the bases after drawing a walk with no outs but the Eagles recorded three straight outs to end the threat
EXTRA BASES
- McCall extended her streak to 30 straight games of reaching base, tying Janiva Willis for second (30 straight)
- In the series between Longwood and Winthrop, 13 of the last 14 meetings have been decided by two runs or less
ON DECK
Winthrop will take on Longwood for the final game of the series tomorrow, Sunday at 11 a.m.
