Longwood University’s club softball team enjoyed tremendous success this year, winning all but one game, and it did so with help from two girls that hail from Lunenburg County — Meri Dalton and team Co-President Kaitlyn Matthews.

“We had the most successful season that Longwood Club Softball has ever had during the 2017 spring semester,” Matthews said. “We ended with a record of 10-1. The one loss we did have was in the semifinals of the Cavalier Classic tournament at (the University of Virginia).”

She said that in that tournament, the Lancers were seeded No. 1 out of 10 teams after the first day of play.

“We had a very successful season wahich can be attributed to a lot of talent on the team,” she said. “I was very impressed and very proud of all the hard work the team put in.”

During the course of the season, the Lancers, who were coached by Matthews’ father, Tony Matthews, defeated a variety of club teams, including those from the University of Virginia (U.Va.), Towson University, the University of Mary Washington, Montclair State University, of New Jersey, Christopher Newport University and Southside Virginia Community College.

When asked what she enjoyed most about being team co-president, Matthews said it was a hard question to answer because there honestly were not many parts she did not enjoy.

“I have watched both of my parents coach for the entirety of my life, and I’ve seen my dad work as the commisasioner of the (Lunenburg) Girls (Softball) league for most of those years as well,” she said. “So I enjoyed being able to somewhat start to follow in their footsteps.”

She reflected on the progression she went through on the team after starting out with it during her first semester at Longwood.

“It was very exciting to me to have come from a nervous freshman who was anxious to make the team to reach the position I did,” Matthews said. “I loved being able to help out and give back to the group that helped me continue to be able to play ball and make Longwood my home away from home.”

She added that she has “enjoyed the networking and all of the connections I’ve made through this position, but I couldn’t have done it, though, without everyone’s help. The group we had really worked together to make sure everything got accomplished.”

Coach Matthews said, “The team would like to thank Longwood and the parents and fans for their support. They look forward to a great fall season.”

He noted that the Lancers will be losing only two seniors, referring to his daughter and former team Co-President Jen Ryan.