Longwood (17-22, 5-10) returned from the University of Virginia (UVA) (25-15, ) with a 14-6 loss after Cavalier catchers sophomore Matt Thaiss and junior Robbie Coman combined for seven RBI, half the runs scored.
Thaiss sent UVA’s first runner, freshman outfielder Adam Haseley, home, tying the game after an early Longwood run scored in the top of the first inning by sophomore third baseman Alex Lewis. Four more runs followed the tying run to round out the bottom, three sent through by Coman.
After Lewis, Longwood went five innings without a run. UVA went up by another seven runs, leading 12-1.
Junior left fielder Kyri Washinton broke the dry spell with a home run in the sixth, earning two RBI. Following Washington, freshman Mike Osinski sent senior right fielder Brandon Delk home with a ground ball to third base.
Osinski has scored in five of his last seven games and has a .292 batting average.
After two more runs in the sixth inning, the Cavaliers rode their 10 point lead to the top of the ninth inning. The final inning saw freshman outfielder Tyler Barry hit his first home run of the season and earn his first two RBI.
This was Barry’s eighth appearance this season.
Six different Longwood pitchers took the mound for at least one inning.
Junior right-handed pitcher Ellis Allen held his position the longest for 2.1 innings. Allen allowed five runs and three hits.
Sophomore right-handed pitchers Ryan Jones and Devin Gould combined with Ellis to throw five strikeouts across 4.3 innings.
Each of UVA’s three pitchers allowed at least one run and threw at least one strikeout. Cavalier freshman right-handed pitcher Derek Casey threw half (4) of UVA’s strikeouts after facing nine at-bats.
Longwood has lost four of their past five games, including two against conference rival Liberty University at home over the weekend.
The Lancers will face the University of North Carolina-Asheville in Asheville, N.C. for their next Big South series this weekend.
