FARMVILLE, Va. – The Virginia Tech softball team split a pair of games with Longwood Wednesday at Lancer Field, winning the first game 5-3 before falling in the night cap, 3-0.

In the opener, the Hokies wasted no time getting on the board, scoring two runs on four hits, capped by a two-RBI single from Katey Smith in the first inning. In the third inning, Dani Anderson lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to score Kylie McGoldrick and Vanessa Gonzalez scored on an infield single from Amanda Ake to make it 4-0.

The Lancers cut into Tech’s lead in the bottom of the third inning with three hits to plate two runs.

Both teams loaded the bases in the fifth inning and both pitchers escaped jams as the third out came via line drive outs.

Lauren Gaskill gave Tech a much-needed run in the sixth inning to give the momentum back to Tech, blasting a solo home run to center field to make it 5-2. The Lancers got that run back with a single in the sixth inning, but with two on, Kelly Heinz got a huge looking strikeout to end the inning.

The Hokies had eight hits, led by two from both Gaskill and Smith, along with one apiece from Anderson, Amanda Ake, Kylie McGoldrick and Vanessa Gonzalez

Heinz (W, 17-11) went the distance, scattering 10 hits while allowing three runs. She walked two and struck out seven, including two in the final inning.

In the second game, Tech loaded the bases in the first inning with a chance to sprint out to a lead, but couldn’t get a run across and the Lancers made the Hokies pay, scoring two runs of their own in the bottom of the first inning. In the sixth inning, Longwood recorded three infield singles and then got one more in the sixth inning for insurance purposes.

Longwood freshman Elizabeth McCarthy held the Hokie offense in check, giving up six hits as Tech was shut out for just the sixth time this season. Gaskill and Logan Spaw led the way with two hits apiece, while Gonzalez and Elizabeth Birle each had one.

Maggie Tyler (L, 14-7) went all six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.

With the split, Tech moved to 31-18 while the Lancers went to 34-13.

The Hokies will wrap up ACC play this weekend with a three-game set at Syracuse. The Hokies and Orange will play the doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m. and will then play the single game on Sunday at noon. Tech is 18-7 in the conference and sits in second place while Syracuse is 10-11.

For updates on Virginia Tech softball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Softball