SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Senior captain Sammy Miller delivered a go-ahead two-run single in the top of the seventh inning to cement a 3-1 victory for the Lancers in the series finale with USC Upstate Sunday at Harley Park.
 
Miller stepped up with the go-ahead run 90 feet away and delivered a single back up the middle, completing the first comeback victory of the season for Longwood (3-7).
 
"Today was another really good ballgame," Longwood head coach Ryan Mau said. "We played well in all three facets and were able to come away with a much-needed win."
 
Eric Harp (1-0) picked up the win out of the bullpen with a career-high nine strikeouts in 3.2 perfect innings. Harp struck out the first four batters he faced and didn't allow a single base runner to earn the win.
 
"Harp was untouchable today," Mau said. "His stuff was electric and he was in attack mode. Nobody can hit him when he is like that."
 
Despite a solid effort, Jordan Marks (0-2) took the loss for USC Upstate (5-6-1). The freshman tossed 6.2 innings of three-run ball with five hits and one walk allowed, striking out four batters.
 
Though he received no decision, Michael Catlin pitched well for the Lancers. The senior left-hander tossed 5.1 innings with one unearned run allowed, scattering four hits and four walks with six strikeouts.
 
"Catlin did a great job of escaping trouble time and time again with some big strikeouts," Mau said.
 
USC Upstate struck first with an unearned run in the second inning. Kyle Gensler walked to start the inning, moving to second base on a passed ball. After another walk, Russell Schwertfeger reached on an error at third on a bunt attempt, allowing Gensler to score. Catlin got the next three batters in order, two of which via strikeout.
 
Longwood rallied to tie the game in the top of the fourth. Ryan Shull started the frame with a single to center and moved up to second base on a ground out in the next at-bat. Two batters later with two outs, Joey Mendez singled through the left side, bringing in Shull to even the game.
 
"Offensively we had great at-bats again with not much to show for it," Mau said. "The difference was we came up with big two-out hits today with Mendez in the fourth and Miller in the seventh."
 
After the Lancers tied the game at one, USC Upstate put together a big rally in the home half of the fifth inning, threatening to retake the lead. Austin Morgan started the frame with an infield single to third base. With one out, Andres Kim singled to center, followed by a bunt single by Pat Raiff to load the bases with one out. Catlin dug deep and got out of it, dialing up his sixth strikeout of the game and inducing a ground out to short to end the threat.
 
The Lancers made their move to take the lead in the seventh. Jawan McAllister singled through the left side with one out to start the rally. After McAllister stole second, Grant Keller moved McAllister to third on a ground out. In the game as a pinch hitter, freshman Jack Schnell drew a walk with two outs. Scott Carter, pinch running for Schnell, stole second to set up Miller with a two-run single back up the middle, giving Longwood a 3-1 advantage.
 
"Jawan's two-strike hit, followed by a great pinch-hit walk from Schnell and Carter's stolen base all set the stage for Miller's big hit," Mau said.
 
The spring break trip continues for Longwood as the Lancers head to Durham, N.C., for the next two games. Longwood plays at N.C. Central Tuesday and at Duke Wednesday. First pitch against N.C. Central at Durham Athletic Park is set for 4 p.m.
 
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