SAVANNAH, Ga. – Zach Potojecki struck out a career-high 13 batters, one shy of the school record, as Longwood topped Savannah State, 5-4, Friday evening at Tigers Baseball Stadium.
 
Potojecki (1-1) was inserted into the Friday night role for his first weekend start of the season and responded with 13 strikeouts, matching his total from his other three outings this season, in 6.2 innings of scoreless ball to lead Longwood (3-7) to a series-opening win against Savannah State (6-4). Potojecki's 13 strikeouts more than doubled his previous career high of six and fell one shy of Aaron Myers' school record of 14, set in 2014 against another MEAC school, North Carolina A&T.
 
"We were in need of a big outing from a starter and Zach delivered," Longwood head coach Ryan Mau said. "He was untouchable tonight."
 
The win for Potojecki was the first of his career as he spread three hits, two walks, and two hit batters across 6.2 scoreless innings and struck out 13 batters. The win for Potojecki was the first win picked up by a Longwood starting pitcher this season.
 
The 13 strikeouts were the most for a Longwood pitcher since left-hander Steven Farkas racked up 12 punchouts in 2016, also done against Savannah State, in 7.2 innings of work. The win for Potojecki was the first quality start of the season by Longwood pitching.
 
Longwood had to hold onto the lead late as Savannah State scored four runs in the final two innings against the bullpen. The Tigers rallied for three in the ninth inning before John Gregory got the final out, nailing down his first collegiate save.
 
"Gregory came into the pressure cooker and made big time pitches to close it," Mau said. "It was impressive to see the freshman handle that type of situation."
 
Savannah State kept it close thanks to Jorge Lopez, who was 3-for-4 with three doubles. Lopez drove in a pair of runs on a ninth-inning double that cut Longwood's lead to one at 5-4.
 
Michael Osinski led the offense for Longwood with two RBI, both runs scoring on a single in Longwood's three-run fifth inning. The junior shortstop went 2-for-5 and leads the team in hitting and is first in the Big South with 14 RBI.
 
Sammy Miller went 2-for-4 and scored a pair of runs with a walk and stolen base to hit credit offensively.
 
Alex Lewis and Justin Mitchell were each held hitless in 0-for-2 games, but the two combined to draw five walks, including a career-high three walks drawn by Lewis.
 
Mitchell paces the team with 11 walks drawn this season and has reached base in all 10 games.
 
Joey Mendez drew the first blood of the game in the fifth inning. Mendez, pinch hitting for Ryan Shull, plated Brandon Harvell on an RBI double to left field.
 
"A win like that was needed and will help us as we continue to build toward conference play," Mau said.
 
Longwood returns to action Saturday afternoon for game two against Savannah State. Senior right-hander Cody Wager (0-2) is expected to make the start for Longwood opposite of Savannah State senior righty Austin Robinson (0-0). First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at Tigers Baseball Stadium.

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