ELON, N.C. – Appalachian State Softball took down the Longwood Lancers 6-3 and fell to the Elon Phoenix 10-2 in five innings on opening day of its 2019 season.
The Mountaineers have not had a 1-0 start since their 2013 season. In her first complete game,
Kenzie Longanecker earned the W with seven strikeouts, allowing only nine hits and two walks.
Alison Durrence hit her first career homer as a Mountaineer in the seventh inning against the Lancers. Her two-run bomb allowed the Apps to pull ahead after a tied ballgame at 3-3. App State scored its final run after a single from
Sidney Russell followed by a fielder's choice and a fielding error.
In game two, Elon's offense overpowered the Apps with eight hits, four of which were home runs.
Maddie Siemer and
Taylor Nichols combined for six walks, four groundouts and nine earned runs.
Keri White,
Haley Stewart and
Megan Walker had at least one hit in each game. White and Russell each had multiple hits against Longwood.
The Mountaineers continue play in the Elon Softball Opening Weekend Tournament on Saturday at noon against Eastern Kentucky, who finished 0-2 on the day.
