February 16, 2006

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University dropped a 4-3 collegiate baseball decision at Liberty University Thursday afternoon in Lynchburg.  For the second-straight day, the game-winning run was scored in the bottom of the ninth inning, though this time against the Lancers (3-4) who were led by sophomore Nick von Gersdorff/Purcellville (Loudoun Valley) (3-4) with three hits.  The Flames (3-2) were led by Chad Miller (2-4, 2 RBI) with a pair of hits, including the decisive RBI single.  Longwood will play again this weekend, hosting Saint Peter’s for a three-game series beginning on Saturday, Feb. 18, a doubleheader scheduled for 12 p.m. at Lancer Stadium.
    
At Liberty, Longwood took a 2-0 lead in its first at-bat as von Gersdorff singled with one out and later scored on a two-out, two-run double from freshman Paul Heidler/Warrenton (Notre Dame Academy) (1-4, 2 RBI) that also plated classmate Brandon Maupin/Woodbridge (Potomac) (0-2) who had walked.  The Flames, however, responded with two runs as well to tie the game at 2-2 as Phillip Laurent (1-4, 2 RBI) hit a one-out, two-run home run.  
    
Liberty went ahead 3-2 in the fifth when Miller hit a solo homer to lead-off the inning.  The Lancers, though, came back to tie it at 3-3 in the eighth when freshman Robbie Bailey/Mechanicsville (Hanover) (1-4, RBI) hit his first collegiate home run, a solo shot to center field while also leading-off the frame.  Unfortunately, the Flames got the game-winner in the ninth as Miller’s single scored Derek Bennion (0-0) who had drawn a one-out walk.
    
Sophomore John Farrell/Nantucket, Mass. (Nantucket) (0-1) took the pitching loss in relief while facing just three batters in the ninth, allowing one hit and the one earned run.  Freshman Kevin Light/Mechanicsville (Hanover) had went the first 5.0-plus innings on the mound, scattering eight hits and three earned runs with one strikeout.  Classmate Aaron Berg/Mechanicsville (Hanover) pitched 3.0 innings of scoreless relief, allowing no hits.
    
Ryan Page (1-0) earned the pitching win with the final 6.1 innings, allowing five hits and one earned run with one strikeout.