COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Jake Farr went 5-for-9 and scored six runs out of the leadoff spot to lead Tennessee Tech to a sweep of Longwood in Saturday's doubleheader. After Longwood held the dynamic Golden Eagle offense to just four runs and 12 hits over the first 17 innings of the series, Farr ignited an offensive onslaught that began in a six-run ninth inning in game one and continued throughout the second game of the day when Tennessee Tech clocked 14 hits in a 12-run effort.

Longwood appeared on the edge of a series victory in game one after junior left fielder Kyri Washington belted his third home run of the weekend. The 6-1, 215-pound slugger sent another baseball sailing over the right field wall, making each of his opening weekend shots of the opposite field variety.

Washington's two-out blast was one of seven two-out hits for the Lancers, who once again produced clutch hits. The blue and white found four of its seven runs from two-out RBI, including back-to-back RBI singles from Brandon Harvell and Colton Konvicka in the second inning.

Unfortunately, the Lancers weren't the only ones who produced clutch at-bats, as Farr and Tennessee Tech sparked a ferocious ninth-inning comeback, plating six runs on five hits to rip a series-clinching victory from the Lancers' grasp. Tyler Brazelton provided the walk-off single to cap the Golden Eagles' victory.

Brazelton would continue his assault on the Lancers in game two with a 2-for-3 performance. The sophomore designated hitter accounted for five runs, scoring two and driving in a trio of Golden Eagles, to help Tennessee Tech to a series victory.

"Overall, it was a very tough series for us," said head coach Ryan Mau. "I thought we played really well for 17-straight innings. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to get the job done. Offensively, I liked what we saw this weekend. We need to figure out some of our bullpen uncertainties and continue to eliminate the defensive mistakes. This week, we will go back to work looking to improve in those areas."

Tennessee Tech 8, Longwood 7

Longwood looked well on its way to clinching an opening weekend series victory for the first time since 2012. Much like Friday's victory, the Lancers used solid starting pitching and timely hitting to build a seemingly comfortable lead.

Junior Travis Burnette made his first start of the year, delivering five steady innings for the blue and white, scattering 6 hits and allowing a pair of runs. The 6-3, 173-pound right-hander had to work his way through an adventurous two innings before settling in to just his eighth career start. Burnette conceded a run on two hits in the opening frame, but was the recipient of two runs from the Lancers in the top of the second as back-to-back two-out singles from Brandon Harvell and Colton Konvicka staked Longwood to a 2-1 lead.

"I thought Travis battled well without his best stuff today," said head coach Ryan Mau. "He gave us a solid five innings."

The Lynchburg, Va. native did not let his teammates support go to waste, stranding the bases loaded in the bottom half. From there, Burnette cruised through the third and fourth, before a two-out rally in the fifth saw Tennessee Tech tie the game at two.

Once again, the Lancers were right there to pick up their starter with the bats.  After Washington reached on an error to open the sixth, Brandon Delk doubled him home for the senior's second RBI in as many games. A wild pitch and two batters later, designated hitter Travis Biddix plated Delk on a ground out to shortstop, making it a 4-2 game.

With a two-run lead in hand, the Lancers turned to sophomore Devin Gould in the bottom of the sixth. Gould was strong in three innings of work in his first appearance after an injury-riddled offseason. The right-hander worked around three walks and fanned four to hold Tennessee Tech through the eighth inning.

"I thought Devin threw the ball well," said Mau. "Unfortunately, he was on a limited pitch count due to an injury-plagued offseason."

With Gould shutting down the Golden Eagles, the Lancers extended the lead with a single run in the seventh after C.J. Roth doubled and was brought home by a Connar Bastaich single. In the top of the ninth, Washington deposited a two-run blast over the right field wall, making it 7-2 Lancers. Washington's homer capped off a team effort at the plate, making him the eighth Lancer with a hit in game one.

"The bottom of our lineup got us going early with a string out two out hits," said Mau. "I thought Harvell and Harvell and Biddix put several good at-bats together today. Then, we were able to tack on late with Bastaich, Delk and Washington delivering big RBI. Top to bottom, I like the way we swung the bats in game one."   

With three outs to go, Longwood turned to Mitchell Kuebbing to close it out. A day after working a 1-2-3 ninth, the sophomore found much tougher sledding in his second appearance. Tennessee Tech strung together five hits to chase Kuebbing (0-1) before Brazelton completed the comeback with a single up the middle to plate the winning run.

"We felt good going into the bottom of the ninth after Kyri's homerun and having our best bullpen guy on the mound," said Mau. "Unfortunately, he got hit around and we let one slip through our fingers. This was a tough one, but we'll learn from it. We have to continue to find the right pieces to help us finish games."

Tennessee Tech 12, Longwood 2

After dropping a heartbreaker in game one, the Lancers had barely 45 minutes to shake it off before the decisive game three.

Longwood appeared to do just that, taking a 1-0 lead in its opening at-bat. For the second-time in three games, Roth led things off with a single for the Lancers and promptly stole second to move into scoring position. Bastaich capitalized with an RBI single, his second of the day.

With a run on the board, a retooled Brandon Vick stepped on the mound for the Lancers. The 6-5 southpaw spent the offseason making a few mechanical changes and looked to put his hard work on display. Unfortunately, Vick ran into early trouble, giving up three runs in the opening frame on two hits and a trio of free passes.

The early issues spread, as Tennessee Tech found single runs in the second and third innings thanks to three Lancer errors. The Golden Eagles chased Vick (0-1) in the third frame as the senior finished his day after 2.2 innings, allowing five runs, three earned, on five hits and four walks.

The defensive struggles continued, regardless of the pitcher as Longwood would commit four more errors, bringing its total to seven for the contest. The seven errors were the most Longwood has committed in the Division-I era, dating back to 2007.

"Game two got away from us early," said Mau. "We didn't get off to a good start on the mound and that set the tone. When you combine that many free passes and defensive mistakes, it is going to be a long day."

All told, Longwood surrendered six unearned runs in the 12-2 defeat. Allen Ellis threw 1.1 innings giving up three runs on three hits, before exiting in the fifth, at which time the youth movement began for the Lancers.

Seven freshmen saw their first action in the second game of the day. Sammy Miller saw an at-bat and time at second base while fellow infielder Michael Osinski grabbed two at-bats at time at third. Outfielder Hayes Nelson played two innings defensively in replacement of Washington in left and Michael Colombi saw his first action behind the plate after pinch hitting for McCafferty in the eighth.

On the mound, three rookies made their Longwood debut.  Chase McPherson, Josh Covey and Michael Catlin combined to finish the final four innings for the Lancers. McPherson, a 6-4, 210-pound left-hander, got the call in the fifth and threw two-thirds of an inning giving up three runs, one earned, on three hits.

Covey replaced McPherson, getting the final out of the fifth and then tossing the sixth and seventh frames as well. The right-handed Waldorf, Md. product faced thirteen batters and conceded only an unearned run while scattering three hits in 2.1 innings.

After Covey's solid outing, the Lancers called upon Michael Catlin to work the eighth. The 6-4 southpaw worked a scoreless inning, retiring all three batters he faced and recording his first punchout.

"A few young guys got in and we were able to see some things from them," said Mau. "I though Covey and Catlin competed and threw the ball well in adverse conditions."

Longwood returns to the Commonwealth for a midweek showdown at James Madison. The Lancers and Dukes are scheduled to battle Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m.