FARMVILLE, VA. – John Ortiz led a charge of five hitters for N.C. Central who picked up multiple hits to deal Longwood its first loss in six games, 7-4, Tuesday evening at Buddy Bolding Stadium.
Winners of five in a row entering the midweek game, Longwood (18-12, 6-3 Big South) saw its winning streak come to an end in the fourth game played in four days against a hot-hitting lineup for N.C. Central (14-17, 5-7 MEAC). The Eagles put together a five-run second inning to deal Longwood its first home loss in a midweek game.
Ortiz finished the game 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI and was one of seven batters for the Eagles to pick up a hit in the game. The sophomore picked up a two-run double to start the scoring in the second inning and the Eagles led the rest of the way.
Christian Gonnelli (3-1) was the winner, benefitting from the big inning for N.C. Central. The junior right-hander tossed 5.0 innings and held Longwood to three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and three walks.
Cameron Trichka (1-1) suffered the loss after allowing the five-run rally. Justice Sampson got the final out of the game to nail down the save, his fourth of the season.
The Lancers got solid pitching from the bullpen, particularly from
Cody Boydstun. The freshman right-hander held the Eagles scoreless in 4.1 innings of work and allowed just one hit with four strikeouts to no walks in the outing.
Ryan Jones continued his trend of stranding baserunners. Jones stepped into the game with the bases loaded and one out in the second inning and picked off a pair of batters, not allowing any of the inherited runners to score. Jones has stranded 16 of 17 inherited runners on the season, the most among Longwood bullpen arms.
C.J. Roth led the way offensively for the Lancers, picking up a pair of hits and two RBI in the loss. The senior captain came up clutch with a two-out two-run single in the fourth inning.
Roth was one of three Lancers with multi-hit games, joined by
Michael Osinski and
Alex Lewis. The hits for Lewis extended his hitting streak to 13 games and was his 13th game with multiple hits this season, both the most for any Lancer this season.
Longwood brought the potential tying run to the plate in the sixth, seventh, and ninth innings, but was never able to get the potential tying run on base in any of the three innings.
The loss for Longwood drops the Lancers to 14-5 at home. After playing games four consecutive days, Longwood will have Wednesday and Thursday off from game action before returning to the diamond Friday.
The Lancers return to Big South play this weekend, where they are 6-3, third in the Big South. Longwood begins a three-game series at the first-place High Point Panthers Friday with radio coverage on WVHL 92.9 FM Farmville Kickin' Country. First pitch against the Panthers is set for 6 p.m.
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