5.14.2011

BOX SCORE

NORFOLK, Va. -- Longwood University dropped an 8-3 baseball decision on the road at Norfolk State University of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Saturday afternoon in Norfolk. The Lancers (28-18) were led by freshman Scott Burkett| Williamsburg (Jamestown) with three hits, and sophomore Justin Lacy|Glen Allen (J.R. Tucker) with two hits and an RBI against the Spartans (21-27). It was the final game of the season for Longwood as the Lancers finished 2011 with a final record of 28-18. It marks the 30th overall 20-win campaign, and 23rd season with at least 25 wins in the program's 34-year history. Veteran 33rd-year head coach Charles Buddy Bolding is now 900-495-4, including 30 winning seasons during his tenure.

Longwood fell behind 3-0 in the first inning as Norfolk State got a two-run home run from Brandon Hairston (1-5, 2 rbi) and a run-scoring triple by Ryan Montgomery (2-3, rbi). The Lancers rallied to within 3-2 with a pair of runs in the fifth after freshman Alex Owens|Purcellville (Loudoun Valley) (0-2) walked to lead-off and moved to second on a single by classmate Zach Mihalko|Richmond (Mills E. Godwin) (1-4). Both advanced a base on a passed ball before Owens scored on a ground-ball out off the bat of sophomore Scott Laabs|Glen Allen (Deep Run) (0-3, rbi). Mihalko crossed the plate on an RBI single from freshman Matt Dickason|Chesapeake (Indian River) (1-4, rbi).

Norfolk State, however, added three more runs in the sixth to lead 6-2 as Sammy Serafine (1-4, rbi) had an RBI double while TiQuan Griffin (3-3, rbi) and John Lynch (2-5, 2 rbi) each contributed run-scoring singles. The Spartans made it an 8-2 lead with two additional runs in the eighth after Lynch added an RBI double and later scored unearned courtesy a wild pitch that had followed a passed ball.

Longwood scored a final run in the ninth to provide for the final margin as junior Michael Sims|Stafford (North Stafford) (0-0) drew a lead-off walk as a pinch hitter and scored on a run-scoring single by Lacy. The Lancers did have an opportunity to do more damage after loading the bases with one out but a double-play grounder ended the season's final game.

Junior Matt Gwaltney|Chesterfield (Matoaca) (5-6) started for Longwood and took the pitching loss with the first 5.1 innings, allowing 10 hits and six runs, five earned, with one walk and three strikeouts. Sophomore Kyler Morgan|Lancaster, Pa. (Lampeter-Strasburg) tossed 1.2 scoreless innings of middle relief, yielding one hit with one walk and one strikeout. Junior captain Mark Montgomery|Williamsburg (Bruton) pitched the final 1.0 inning, allowing two hits and two runs, one earned, with no walks and one strikeout. Montgomery finished his outstanding season with a 1-0 record, 0.89 ERA, and 10 saves, making 22 appearances covering 30.1 innings with 48 strikeouts; he allowed only four runs, three earned, this year. Montgomery's earned run average and saves are both season records as is his career save total of 16.

Chris Joyce (3-5) also had three hits for Norfolk State, while reliever Raymond Morton (3-3) was credited with the win after 2.2 scoreless innings of middle relief for the Spartans, scattering two hits with one walk and two strikeouts.

Longwood played its finale without the services of senior captains Brant Jones|Richmond (Monacan) and Chris Briere| Midlothian (James River) and classmate Troy Dickman|Manakin Sabot (Midlothian) who missed the game to attend the Longwood University Commencement that took place earlier Saturday in Farmville. Jones hit .374 with six home runs, five triples, 12 doubles, 29 RBI, 43 runs, and 11 stolen bases this season. Briere hit .417 with two home runs, nine doubles, 17 RBI, 23 runs, and two stolen bases. He was 7-3 with a 3.27 ERA through 71.2 innings with 42 strikeouts on the mound. Dickman was 2-2 with a 6.89 ERA through 31.1 innings with 16 strikeouts.