After opening Big South conference play with a 3-0 sweep at the hands of Campbell University (19-5), the Longwood Lancers (10-12) won two away games against non-conference opponents before going to Farmville, Virginia for their first home series of the season.
In Longwood’s first home series the team played Big South foe Charleston Southern University (11-11). The biggest storyline from the series comes from atop the pitchers mound as both teams received dominating performances from their starters.
Game one consisted of a pitcher duel between Longwood ace, senior Aaron Myers (3-3, 2.68 ERA) and Buccaneers No. 1 pitcher, junior Andrew Tomasovich (4-2, 2.13 ERA); which Myers took the win 4-1.
Tomasovich allowed two earned runs in the bottom of the first on three hits; including a leadoff triple from junior center fielder Colton Konvicka. After the first inning Tomasovich went on to deal five more scoreless innings. Overall he pitched six innings allowing eight hits, two earned runs, while striking out five and walking two; credited with second loss of season.
On the other end of the diamond, Myers had a night to remember as he flirted with a complete game shutout, pitching eight innings before being pulled in the ninth. Myers had a career night against the Bucs as he threw 10 strikeouts, while walking two batters.
"Just being able to hit my locations today, that was it," said Myers to Longwood’s official athletics website. "I've been struggling in the past with my curveball, and I was able to get it over for more strikes today."
With this Myers is now tied for second place on Longwood’s all-time strikeout list with 231 strikeouts throughout his career at the University.
In the second game, Lancer’s struggling left-handed pitcher Brandon Vick went into his matchup with Bucs’ junior pitcher Evan Raynor posting a 9.82 ERA with a 0-3 record. Raynor on the other hand came into the game with a 2.92 ERA and a 1-1 record.
Raynor walked away with his second win on the season and a lowered ERA (2.67), while senior Vick walked away with his fourth loss, after allowing four runs; one of which was earned.
Vick pitched 6.1 innings, allowed nine hits, two walks and four strikeouts; while Raynor pitched a complete game allowing two earned runs on seven hits, one walk and nine strikeouts.
Two errors from Longwood ended up being the deciding factor for game two as both allowed the Bucs to score three runs. Charleston Southern took the second game 5-2.
The third game saw the least amount of offense from both sides of the diamond. Both teams registered five hits as starting pitchers Travis Burnette (Longwood) and Kyle McDorman (Charleston Southern) were equally matched throughout.
In the end, junior Burnette came out on top as senior McDorman allowed a run on a double by freshman shortstop Michael Osinski that scored junior Kyri Washington.
Burnette pitched eight innings with no earned runs, five hits, five walks and six strikeouts; McDorman went 6.1 allowing 3 hits, two walks and five strikeouts.
The Lancers are scheduled to travel to Richmond, Virginia to face the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams tonight at 6:30 p.m. for a one-game series.
