2.20.2011

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University took a 9-4 home victory past visiting Cleveland State University of the Horizon League Sunday at Charles Buddy Bolding Stadium in Farmville. The Lancers (2-1) scored three runs in the second inning, one run in the fifth, two runs in the sixth, and three more runs in the eighth inning en route to their second win in three games to open the season. LU was led at the plate by junior Dustin Sollars|Midlothian (Cosby) with three hits, including a two-run single, and freshman Scott Burkett|Williamsburg (Jamestown) with a two-run double, while junior right-handed pitcher Matt Gwaltney|Chesterfield (Matoaca) went 6.0-plus innings on the mound. The Vikings (1-2) were led by Anthony Sambula with two hits and an RBI. Longwood will play again at home on Wednesday, February 24, hosting in-state opponent George Mason University of the Colonial Athletic Association at Bolding Stadium at 3 p.m.

Longwood allowed an early run to Cleveland State in the second inning on an RBI single by Sambula (2-4, RBI). The Lancers answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning as freshmen Alex Owens|Purcellville (Loudoun Valley) (1-4, RBI) and Zach Mihalko|Richmond (Mills E. Godwin) (1-2, RBI) each provided RBI singles before Owens scored as well on a throwing error. LU made it 4-1 in the fifth inning on a run-scoring single by sophomore Justin Lacy|Glen Allen (J.R. Tucker) (2-5, RBI), and the hosts led 6-1 through six innings after a two-run single from Sollars (3-4, 2 RBI).

Cleveland State made it interesting with three runs in the seventh after a pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases with no outs. Another walk brought in one run, while a hit batter scored another run during consecutive at-bats before a sacrifice fly RBI by Alex Johnson (1-4, RBI). Longwood responded with three runs in the eighth inning to secure its triumph as senior Brant Jones|Richmond (Monacan) (2-4, RBI) added an RBI single, and Burkett (1-5, 2 RBI) delivered his clutch two-run double. Junior Robby Newman|Virginia Beach (Salem) (2-3) also had two hits for LU, including a double.

Gwaltney (1-0) went the 6.0-plus innings on the mound to earn the Longwood pitching win, scattering seven hits and four runs, all earned, with six strikeouts and three walks. Junior Mark Montgomery|Williamsburg (Bruton) earned his first save (1) of the season with the final 2.0 scoreless innings, yielding one hit with five strikeouts and one walk.

Travis Miller (0-1) took the pitching loss for Cleveland State with the first 5.0-plus innings, allowing eight hits and five runs, three earned, with four strikeouts and no walks. The Vikings used four other pitchers to cover the final 3.0 innings of the contest. Matt Kirkwood (2-4) also had two hits for the visitors.