2.27.2011

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University dropped a 7-2 baseball decision at home to visiting La Salle University of the Atlantic 10 Conference Sunday afternoon at Charles Buddy Bolding Stadium in Farmville. The Lancers (2-5) were led at the plate by senior Brant Jones|Richmond (Monacan) with three hits, including two doubles and a triple. The Explorers (3-2) were led by Brendan Norton with three hits and two RBI, including a triple, while starting pitcher Eric Van Wyk earned the mound win for the visitors who swept all three games of the weekend series. Longwood will play again on Tuesday, March 1, a doubleheader at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Maryland beginning at 1 p.m.

Longwood fell behind 2-0 in the first inning as Norton (3-4, 2 RBI) hit an RBI triple and Marc Schoch (2-4, RBI) added a run-scoring single for La Salle. The Lancers scored a run in the third as Jones tripled with one out and crossed the plate on an RBI ground-ball-out by junior Dustin Sollars|Midlothian (Cosby) (0-3, RBI). The Explorers made it 3-1 with a run in the fifth as Jeff Flax (2-5, RBI) singled with one out and later scored unearned on a passed ball.

La Salle added three more runs in the seventh to lead 6-1 after Flax added a run-scoring double, Norton had a sacrifice fly, and Jon Gyles (2-5, RBI) hit a solo home run. Longwood scored a run in the seventh as well when freshman Alex Owens| Purcellville (Loudoun Valley) (0-2) walked and late crossed the plate courtesy a throwing error. The Explorers plated a final run in the ninth on a bases-loaded walk.

Junior Matt Gwaltney|Chesterfield (Matoaca) (1-1) went the first 7.0 innings on the mound and took the pitching loss for Longwood, allowing 11 hits and six runs, five earned, with two strikeouts and no walks.

Van Wyk (1-0) got the pitching win for La Salle with the first 6.0-plus innings, scattering four hits and two runs, one earned, with three strikeouts and three walks.