A perfect day at Lancer Field
Published 8:13 am Thursday, April 18, 2019
TITUS MOHLER | HERALD After playing it straight for a picture, the Longwood University softball team takes a silly photo with the girls who attended Sunday’s softball clinic, and parents capture the moment on their cellphones.
TITUS MOHLER | HERALD Aliyah Rachels, left, and Alivia Rachels await their chance to work with the Lancers on Sunday.
TITUS MOHLER | HERALD Morgan Morris launches a pitch on Lancer Field as Alexis Wayland plays catcher, Madison Blair plays the role of umpire and Angelina Sherba plays the role of batter.
TITUS MOHLER | HERALD Getting acquainted before going on the field to work are, from left, Maci Tyler, Whitley Morris, Morgan Morris and Jessica Smith.
Young softball players in the area were treated to an amazing opportunity Sunday in the form of Longwood University’s Youth Softball Day.
To view more photos of the event, click here.
First, the youths were invited to attend the Longwood regular season softball game against Charleston Southern University. This alone is a treat to see because it is an NCAA Division I softball game, and Lancers Head Coach Kathy Riley consistently has the home team in a position to win.
Sunday’s game ended up being quite dramatic. The Lancers were completing a three-game series against the Buccaneers that had started with a doubleheader Saturday. Each team won a game, making Sunday the series clincher.
Down 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh and final inning, Longwood rallied to tie, loaded the bases and then with two outs, senior Karleigh Donovan hit the ball to shallow center field to bring in the winning run.
Then after about 15 minutes, the young softball players were welcomed onto Lancer Field for autographs from the entire Longwood team. Lancers lined one side of a row of tables, equipped with markers, and young softball players lined the other side, presenting their complimentary posters to be signed.
After this, both groups came together in the outfield of Lancer Field to use their softball skills during a 30-minute softball clinic led by Longwood’s players and staff.
The group of young girls participating left that day with an outstanding memory and undoubtedly some inspiration as they continue to play the game they love.
