CHARLESTON, S.C. – Sammy Miller tied his career high with four hits to lead Longwood to a 7-5 victory against Charleston Southern Friday at CSU Ballpark.
 
Longwood (7-17, 2-6 Big South) trailed 5-0 after the first two innings, but rallied for three runs in the third, an additional run in the fourth, and took the lead on the first career home run by Jawan McAllister, a go-ahead two-run shot in the sixth inning.
 
"I was proud of our fight today," Longwood head coach Ryan Mau said. "To be down five early on and fire back offensively in the third was huge."
 
Eight of the starting nine Lancers reached safely at least once, led by Miller's 4-for-5 game. The senior captain picked up a triple and evened his career high in hits – also done against Charleston Southern.
 
Antwaun Tucker joined Miller with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 in the win. Mitchell and McAllister each had multi-RBI days as McAllister finished 1-for-4 with two RBI and Mitchell was 1-for-4 with three RBI.
 
Tommy Green (1-1) picked up the win after a stellar outing out of the bullpen. The freshman right-hander racked up four strikeouts in 3.0 scoreless innings with four base runners allowed on three singles and one walk.
 
Michael Catlin collected the save with 2.2 scoreless innings, holding Charleston Southern (9-19, 2-6 Big South) to just one hit with four strikeouts and one walk in his second save of the season.
 
"Tommy and Catlin were lights out," Mau said. "They showed a ton of confidence by challenging hitters and trusting their stuff."
 
Despite not allowing an earned run, Eddie Hiott (2-1) suffered the loss for Charleston Southern. The reliever allowed two unearned runs on McAllister's game-winning homer.
 
Charleston Southern put together a big rally in the first inning. With one out Mike Sconzo walked and Jason Miller singled, followed by a single by Derek Horton to load the bases with one out. Two batters later with the bases loaded and two outs Ryan Rizk singled up the middle, bringing in Sconzo and Miller. Horton tried to go first to third on the play, but Miller in center for the Lancers threw out Horton to end the inning.
 
The deficit grew for Longwood when Charleston Southern stepped to the plate in the second inning. Miller started the home half of the inning with a walk and Alex Andronica followed with a single. With runners on the corners and no outs Josh Litchfield, Kyle Vesnesky, and Miller each drove in runs to up the CSU lead to 5-0.
 
Then came the Lancers' third inning.
 
Longwood flashed speed to bring in three runs in the top of the third and cut into the deficit. With the bases clear and one out Tucker reached on an infield single and proceeded to steal second base, his team-leading 10th of the season. Miller also beat out an infield single, moving Tucker to third, and then Miller stole second. With runners on second and third Mitchell doubled to right field to bring in both of the speedsters. The next batter, Nate Blakeney, singled to left and brought in Mitchell.
 
"Mitchell came up with a big double when we needed it," Mau said. "Ryan Shull and Jawan landed some big blows that kept the momentum on our side."
 
In the fourth inning Shull stepped to the plate to contribute once more. Shull, who hit his first career home run Thursday, led off the fourth inning with a home run. On a 3-2 pitch Shull blasted his second home run of the series to right, bringing the Lancers within one.
 
The 5-4 CSU lead held until the sixth.
 
In the top of the sixth, with Hiott pitching as the first relief pitcher for CSU, the Lancers had the bases clear with two outs before Shull again came up with a big at-bat. Shull grounded back to the pitcher, but reached on an error to extend the inning. After Shull stole second, the next batter was McAllister, who picked the perfect time for his first career dinger. On a 2-1 pitch McAllister unloaded to left-center field and gave Longwood its first lead at 6-5 on his go-ahead two-run shot.
 
Longwood added to the lead in the ninth inning for some insurance. Eli Mercado reached on a one-out walk and advanced to third after Tucker and Miller each singled. With the bases loaded, fighting back from 0-2, Mitchell drew a walk to force in a run and give Longwood a 7-5 lead.
 
"It was a great win, but we must quickly refocus for tomorrow's rubber match," Mau said.
 
The series concludes Saturday with the finale slated for 2 p.m. at CSU Ballpark.
 
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