SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Zach Krider went 2-for-4 with three RBI to lead USC Upstate past Longwood, 10-5, Tuesday afternoon at Harley Park.
 
Krider drove in the go-ahead run on an RBI double in the sixth inning for USC Upstate (6-8) to break what was a 3-3 tie between the Spartans and Longwood (5-8). The senior infielder then broke the game open with a two-run single in the seventh inning that pushed the lead to 8-3. The loss for the Lancers ends a three-game winning streak.
 
"We made several mental and physical mistakes in the field and on the mound, which allowed that game to slip away from us," Longwood head coach Ryan Mau said. "We haven't been getting much contribution from our pitching staff and that that needs to change quickly for us to be in more ballgames."
 
The game swung after Longwood starter Travis Riley was replaced. The bullpen allowed USC Upstate to score six runs in the seventh inning on three hits and three walks issued. Longwood used three pitchers to get through the seventh.
 
"We need a better mindset and better execution from the guys who are taking the mound for us," Mau said. "Until that gets corrected, it will continue to be a struggle putting all three phases of the game together."
 
Sam Rogers (1-0) picked up the win with 2.2 innings out of the bullpen, allowing two runs, but getting plenty of run support in USC Upstate's big six-run home half of the seventh inning.
 
USC Upstate's offense got large contributions from Krider, Russel Schwertfeger, who was 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored, and Brendan Brundage, who was 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI.
 
Despite a quality start, Riley (0-2) was hit with the loss after holding USC Upstate to four runs, three earned, on seven hits with three strikeouts and one walk across 6.0 innings.
 
"Riley competed and gave us a solid start," Mau said. "Offensively, I thought we put some really good swings on the ball, but just weren't able to cash in on all the scoring opportunities."
 
Longwood outhit USC Upstate 14-11 in the loss, picking up double digit hits for a third consecutive game. Five Lancers finished with multiple hits in the loss. Justin Mitchell led the way with a 2-for-4 day at the plate and a pair of RBI. Mitchell has reached safely in all 13 games for the Lancers, hitting .349 with a .508 on-base percentage.
 
Joining Mitchell with multiple hits were Sammy Miller, Antwaun Tucker, Nate Blakeney, and Ryan Shull each picked up a pair of hits. Tucker tripled in the game, his second triple and fourth extra-base hit in the span of the last three games. Miller's two hits extended his hitting streak to a team-best seven games.
 
Longwood stays on the road with a game at Wofford Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Russell King Field.
 
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