FARMVILLE, Va. – Nate Blakeney ripped a go-ahead two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning and southpaw Jon Peterson worked 4.2 innings of scoreless ball out of the bullpen to power the Lancers past N.C. Central, 3-2, Tuesday night.

Longwood (11-20) was held to just five hits in the game, but came up with a pair of hits by Blakeney and Brandon Harvell with runners in scoring position and two outs to top N.C. Central (16-18). Neither team had a lead larger than one run at any point in the game.

"That was a much-needed win for our club," Longwood head coach Ryan Mau said. "It was great to see our guys step up in high pressure situations and deliver. Although our offense was limited, Harvell and Blakeney came through with big hits when we needed them the most."

Blakeney collected his lone hit of the day in the sixth inning, a go-ahead two-run single that proved to be the winner. Blakeney accounted for all three runs went 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored. Harvell drove in Blakeney on an RBI single in the third inning.

With the win the Lancers sweep the home-and-home series with N.C. Central and end a five-game losing streak.

Peterson (1-0) picked up the win in relief for starter Tyler Wirsu. Peterson spun 4.2 scoreless innings, holding NCCU to just two hits and allowing two walks with five strikeouts. Senior flamethrower Devin Gould picked up the save, his first of the season. NCCU reliever Ryan Decker (0-1) took the loss after allowing two runs in 2.0 innings of work out of the bullpen.

Peterson entered the game with the bases loaded in the fourth inning, only allowing one run to score in the inning on a sacrifice fly.

"I can't say enough about the job Jon Peterson did for us out of the pen tonight," Mau said. "He minimized their scoring opportunity in the fourth inning and was spectacular working out of trouble in the eighth. That was a big time performance from him and Gould to secure the win."

Harvell extended his hitting streaks to nine games, going 1-for-4 with an RBI single. Harvell's hitting streak is the longest current streak and second longest by a Lancer this season.

Harvell got the Lancers on the board in the home half of the third inning. Blakeney was hit by pitch to start the inning. Scott Carter put down a sacrifice bunt to advance Blakeney to second base. Two batters later, Harvell hit a two-out single to left, putting Longwood ahead, 1-0.

The Eagles scored a pair of runs in the third inning to take a 2-1 lead.

After two quick outs in the bottom of the sixth, Justin Mitchell walked and was pinch ran for by Ryan Shull, and Alex Lewis reached on an infield single to put runners on first and second base. A wild pitch from the Eagles' Ryan Decker ensued, allowing Shull and Lewis to advance into scoring position, setting the table for Blakeney's two-run single.

The freshman second baseman took a Decker 2-2 pitch and slapped it into left-center to bring in the tying and go-ahead runs, giving Longwood the lead for good.

NCCU threatened to tie the game in the ninth inning. Tony Mejias took a Gould fastball and ripped it down the first base line for a leadoff double before Bryant Battle came on to pinch run, representing the tying run. Gould answered with three punchouts to strand the runner at second and nail down the final out.

Longwood welcomes in Big South foe Presbyterian for a three game set starting Thursday night from Buddy Bolding Stadium. First pitch between the Lancers and Blue Hose is set for 6 p.m.
 
#GoWood