FARMVILLE, VA. - Brandon Harvell hit a game-tying RBI single in the ninth inning and a walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning as Longwood took game one against Radford, 3-2, Thursday night at Buddy Bolding Stadium.
The junior third baseman, Harvell, carried the offense for the Lancers, collecting a career-high four hits on the way to a Longwood win in game one of a three-game weekend series against Radford. The Lancers, who trailed by two runs in the eighth inning, rallied to win in the late innings, thanks in large part to Harvell's career day.
"It's an awesome feeling right now," Harvell said after the walk-off win. "Coming back from down two to win, it's just an awesome feeling, honestly."
The comeback win for the Lancers improved Longwood's record to 2-1 in extra-inning games and was the third walk-off win of the season for Longwood.
"I'm awfully proud of the effort those guys put in tonight," Longwood head coach
Ryan Mau said after the victory. "I'm really proud of what we did in the back end of the ballgame, to scratch together some offense and find a way to pull this one out."
Longwood (12-10, 2-2 Big South) got plenty of timely hitting from Harvell, who hit in the nine-hole Thursday, to lead the Lancers past the Highlanders (5-17, 0-1 Big South).
"Harvell has gone to work on his swing," Mau said. "I credit him and his work ethic as well as [assistant coach
Chad Oxendine]. Brandon is seeing the ball really well right now and putting some good swings on it. To get that kind of production out of the bottom of your lineup is always a plus. We needed it today. He put some really good swings on the ball and none were bigger than that last one."
Harvell finished the game 4-for-5 at the plate, tying his career high with two RBI. Harvell raised his season batting average by 40 points with the strong performance.
"It's just great to be back and I feel like I'm more confident in the box now and attacking the ball better," Harvell said. "It's just good to get a win like that."
Harvell stepped to the plate with a runner on third base and one out in the bottom of the ninth and Longwood trailing 2-1. On a 3-1 pitch from Radford closer Daniel Bridgeman, Harvell took a cut and ripped a single through the left side, plating
Drew Kitson, who had reached earlier in the inning on a double.
In the 10th inning Harvell had runners on first and second base with two outs and an 11th inning looming. Harvell stepped into the box to face Radford right-hander Austin Ross. Harvell took the first pitch for a ball and sent the fans home happy after smacking the second offering into left field, plating
Connar Bastaich.
Longwood ended the day with 11 hits, the sixth double-digit hit game for the Lancers, and Longwood improved to 4-2 in games with 10 or more hits on the day. Five of Longwood's hits came after the eighth inning. The Lancers used the late offense for a single tally in the eighth, one run in the ninth, and the winning run in the 10th.
The late offense for Longwood overshadowed what was a masterful pitching performance in the early innings. Neither starter received a decision, though both were quality Thursday evening.
Longwood starter
Travis Burnette posted his third quality start of the season with 6.2 innings of two-run ball with one unearned run. The senior captain allowed five hits with six strikeouts and walked three batters. Burnette was on the hook for a tough-luck loss before Harvell's game-tying hit in the ninth.
"It was quite a pitchers' duel, which is what you expect on a Friday night in conference play," Mau said. "Two frontline arms going toe-to-toe. Burnette gave us an unbelievable start. He gave us everything he had and was pretty sharp tonight. He competed for us and he's our leader. He's our captain and he gave us an opportunity tonight to win the ballgame."
Radford starter Zach Ridgely didn't flinch the entire night, matching Burnette pitch for pitch. The sophomore lefty worked 7.1 innings of one-run ball and allowed six hits with one walk and struck out six batters. The only run Ridgely was charged scored after he was replaced in the eighth inning.
Ryan Jones (1-1) picked up the win for the Lancers on Harvell's game-winning hit in the 10th. Jones spun 2.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen and struck out three batters with one hit and one walk allowed. Jones inherited a runner in scoring position in the top of the eighth inning, but induced a pop out on the first pitch to end the inning. Jones came on in relief of left-handed sophomore pitcher
Michael Catlin, who threw 1.0 scoreless in the game and has not allowed a run in his last 10.0 innings of work.
"The back end of the bullpen is starting to develop over the course of a couple of weeks," Mau said. "We're starting to see a couple guys figure out their roles. We're understanding where they're a better fit for us. Catlin is throwing the ball outstanding the last couple outings for us and he did it again tonight.
"I felt good about Jones and his matchup with his breaking ball against this right-handed lineup. He gave us everything he had and he even told me he's not coming out of the game. I told him, 'You're darn right you're not.'"
Ross (0-4) took the loss for Radford. The right-handed relief pitcher entered the game after Bridgeman blew the save for Radford in the ninth. Ross inherited a bases-loaded situation after an intentional walk filled the bags, but got a pair of strikeouts to end the ninth. Ross took the loss after allowing two walks to begin the 10th and Harvell's walk-off single.
"We knew if we got in that bullpen we'd have a shot because we're a confident bunch, especially at home with some of the late-inning heroics we've had thus far," Mau said. "It was pretty impressive."
Harvell wasn't the only player to leave his mark on the game offensively for Longwood. Kitson and
Sammy Miller each doubled in the ninth inning. Kitson scored the game-tying run and Miller nearly gave Longwood the win, but the throw from Radford center fielder Luke Wise got back to the infield before Harvell could make the turn around third and head home. Miller finished 2-for-5 for Longwood.
Bastaich also reached twice in the win. The senior first baseman started the home half of the final frame with a walk and got into scoring position after
Hayes Nelson drew a walk. Bastaich scored from second on Harvell's single through the left side, clinching the walk-off win for Longwood.
The win moved Longwood to 5-1 in games decided by one run. Longwood also got its first win of the season when trailing after seven innings or later.
Harvell's heroics come a week after the veteran infielder went through a bit of a makeover, buzzing his shoulder length hair.
"I've been struggling lately and it was a superstition thing, for sure," Harvell said. "But tonight I was just trying to attack the ball at the plate and it worked out for me."
Longwood plays game two with Radford Friday afternoon at Buddy Bolding Stadium. Freshman left-hander
Steven Farkas (0-1) is expected to get the start for Longwood opposite of Dylan Nelson (0-4) for Radford. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
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