AUBURN, Ala. – Despite a combined nine strikeouts from junior starter Steven Farkas and freshman right-hander Tommy Green, Longwood dropped the season opener at SEC contender, Auburn, 6-0 Friday night at Plainsman Park.

"I like the way we competed tonight," Longwood head coach Ryan Mau said. "We played error free defensively and pitched well enough to keep us within striking distance."
 
Farkas (0-1) shouldered the loss for Longwood (0-1) after a valiant effort at Auburn (1-0). Farkas tossed 5.0 innings of three-run ball with four strikeouts and three walks issued.

"I thought Farkas really battled and gave us a chance," Mau said. "It was also great to get freshman Tommy Green out there."

In his first career appearance, Green struck out five batters in 2.0 relief innings. The freshman didn't allow a single walk and held Auburn to just one hit.

"Once he was able to settle in he showed some electric stuff," Mau said.

Antwaun Tucker was the lone Lancer to reach safely twice as he went 1-for-3 with one walk.

The Lancers picked up an extra-base hit in the season opener off the bat of senior outfielder Ryan Shull, who doubled to left-center in the eighth inning.

"We had the right approach at the plate, but unfortunately Mize was really on his game and we couldn't get much going," Mau said.

Mize (1-0), a preseason All-American, picked up the win for Auburn and tossed 6.0 shutout innings, holding the Lancers to three hits with seven strikeouts and no walks issued.

Luke Jarvis and Brett Wright each did the majority of the damage for Auburn, with a pair of hits and two RBI each. Wright racked up a pair of extra-base hits with a double and solo homer in the game.
 
Game two is set for 2 p.m. Saturday as junior right-hander Cody Boydstun takes the ball for the first time this season, opposite of Auburn right-hander Davis Daniel.

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