Coach Riley is now with over 800 total wins as a head coach. She is top notch!
Chelsea Whitcomb has been a big addition to the team but got injured while diving for a ball in center field. Some type of break to the left hand area. May be her left wrist. So she hasn't batted in quite a while. She is used as a pinch base runner and is stealing bases every game. Recently she has gotten some time in center field but hasn't been batting at all. But she has fit in nicely. She doesn't start due to the injury, enters the game as a pinch runner, and remains in the line up until her spot to bat comes up when the starter is re-entered.

Longwood starts 5 seniors so they are experienced. However they really aren't playing as well as they should be though winning games. Their top pitcher, Sydney Gay, came down with mono early in the season. So her control hasn't been as strong as the previous season. Most observers now feel S Backstrom is the better pitcher. She is tall and throws a really good drop ball. The team has plenty of speed and a catcher, Bug Batten, who has a strong arm. She is a threat to hit a home run every at bat and seems to come up even stronger when the game is on the line.

Longwood will not beat themselves and the Coach loves to play small ball when necessary. Suicide squeeze bunts is more the norm than the exception. This team is looking forward to their trip and will not be intimidated. I believe the all time series record is like 12-12.

I am making the trip and quietly pulling for the Hokies. But will be decked out in LU gear as I am a big supporter of their program as well. My business sign is placed on their video board in Farmville and they don't do that for free :) RPI ranking for LU is 70 at last check but when JMU came to town they were beaten badly in both games. That’s JMU winning easily.

Hope this info helps. go Hokies!!!
[Post edited by farmville hokie at 04/30/2019 09:40AM]