FARMVILLE, Va. – After being walked off three times in eight games during a nine game road trip, Longwood baseball seized important opportunities on Tuesday at Norfolk State and didn't let go. The Lancers (10-30, 4-14 Big South) tied a season high by drawing eight walks while the pitching staff combined to strand 14 runners in a 5-3 win over the Spartans.
 
"We have had a few games recently slip away late, so this was a much needed win for us," said Longwood head coach Ryan Mau. "I'm proud of the way we continue to fight amongst all the adversity we have faced.
 
Mau's 100^th career win, all at Longwood, came after his team bounced back to erase a 1-0 Norfolk State (16-20, 12-6 MEAC) lead in the third inning. An error, a walk and a hit by pitch loaded the bases before Antwaun Tucker's seven-pitch at bat yielded a walk. Two more runs scored to make it 3-1 after Hunter Gilliam hit a potential sacrifice fly to right field was dropped.
 
Jack Schnell bashed the first pitch of the fourth inning over the right field wall to extend the lead to 4-1. It was his second homer of the season.
 
On the mound, Mike Esposito (1-1) threw well in his third collegiate start for the Lancers. The freshman battled and gave the team five innings, his longest start, while striking out two and only surrendering two runs. He earned the win after pitching into the sixth inning, and he only allowed three hits and walked four. Nick Fuchs relieved him in the sixth inning and wrapped up the game with seven strikeouts and one run allowed in four innings to earn his first save of the year.
 
"Mike threw the fastball well again and gave us the quality start we needed to be able to settle in to the game," said Mau.
 
"Nick's command was a little off after being sidelined with injury last week. Once he shook off the rust, I though he settled down nicely and was able to mix all his pitches for strikes."
 
Norfolk State drew a pair of walks to start the sixth, but Fuchs came in and limited the damage to one run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly to right field that trimmed the lead to 4-2.
 
Tucker answered for Longwood by manufacturing a run in the seventh. The junior speedster drew a walk before stealing second and third, and he came home on a wild pitch to re-establish the three-run lead. He is a perfect 12-12 on stolen bases this year and is tied for the team lead in steals.
 
Norfolk State knocked on the door in each of the last three innings, but Fuchs and the Lancer defense came through with the necessary plays to strand six baserunners in that stretch. In the ninth, the Spartans loaded the bases with two outs. An infield single scored one run, but the defense caught a second runner in a rundown to end the game as Tucker applied the tag.
 
James Deloatch (0-3) took the loss for Norfolk State. He walked five while giving up two hits that led to five runs, one earned. Deloatch struck out three and hit one.
 
Longwood opens up an 11-game homestand this weekend by welcoming USC Upstate to Buddy Bolding Stadium. First pitch on Friday night is at 5 p.m.
 
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