FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood's offense led the way past Purdue Fort Wayne in the series finale on Sunday afternoon. The Lancers muscled in runs in their first six innings to take down the Mastodons 11-8.
 
Longwood (1-3) had a hit in every inning, drew eight walks, stole six bases and used a five-run sixth inning to create separation after battling back from an early two-run hole. Ricky Jimenez posted a career-best four-hits after going 4 for 5 at the plate with three runs scored, two RBI and two doubles. Jack Schnell tied a season high with three RBI, and Michael Peterson, Hunter Gilliam and Andrew Gorham all had two hits apiece. Peterson added two stolen bases as well.
 
"We were in need of a win after the last two days," said head coach Ryan Mau. "I thought the guys came out fighting, and it's definitely something to build off of. It was a huge offensive outburst. Jack Schnell continues to swing the bat like he's capable of. Andrew Gorham has done an outstanding job in the middle of the lineup. He had a wonderful weekend, and it was great to see Ricky get himself going today. He had a breakout day.
 
Longwood's offense knocked on the door of a big inning all game by putting runners on base constantly. Every time Purdue Fort Wayne (3-1) scored, Longwood had the answer. Purdue Fort Wayne added a run in the second on an RBI single by Aaron Chapman, but Jimenez led off the bottom of the inning with a double before scoring on Peterson's single to right center. Schnell's sacrifice fly to right field evened the score at three apiece.
 
Jimenez gave Longwood its first lead with an RBI single in the third inning, but Purdue Fort Wayne evened the game in the fourth. Peterson came up with a huge defensive play in centerfield to end a possible rally one batter later. The sophomore caught a shallow fly ball and erased Jack Lang with a pinpoint throw to home plate.
 
"Michael Peterson got the start in center, and swung the bat very well in the bottom of our lineup," said Mau. "He also took two stolen bases, so he's a huge threat on the bases, and he made an absolute bullet of a throw. It couldn't have been placed any better, and it was a big-time momentum play for us."
 
Schnell kept the momentum going for Longwood with a pair of RBI singles in the fourth and fifth, and Longwood finally broke through with a big inning in the sixth. Andrew Gorham cranked a leadoff single to left field, and the Lancers batted around with four hits, two stolen bases and three walks in the inning. Gilliam and Jimenez added RBI base knocks, and Gorham capped the five-run inning with an RBI single through the right side for an 11-5 lead.
 
"We did a great job on the bases and stole a bunch of bags and were putting up runs every inning," said Mau. "I'm very proud of the offense today. It was a combination of some good swings, some patient at bats to draw some walks when they presented themselves, and just trying to capitalize with runners in scoring position. We had opportunities multiple times to put up some bigger numbers, so we missed a couple shots, but we just kept chipping away at it and adding on, and they were all needed, obviously, with the game getting close there in the ninth."
 
In the ninth inning, Purdue Fort Wayne's offense got going once Ryan Mollette roped an RBI double, Garrett Mohler hit an RBI single, and a wild pitch scored a runner from third. With two on, two out and the tying run at the plate, Longwood senior Nick Fuchs stemmed the tide by striking out Andrew Lawvere looking to end the game.
 
Fuchs picked up his first save of 2020 and second career save after taking over for John Gregory in the sixth inning. Fuchs struck out six while walking two and allowing three runs on three hits and a pair of walks in 3.1 innings. John Gregory (1-0) earned the win by striking out four and allowing two runs in 3.2 innings of relief work. Dillon Champagne started the game for Longwood and struck out two while walking one in two innings with three unearned runs on three hits in that time.
 
"I thought Dillon Champagne did a great job," said Mau. "We didn't play defense for him, which was tough, but he gave us a decent start. John Gregory stepped up in a big way and gave us more than we anticipated. I'm really proud of his leadership today. Nick Fuchs was outstanding. I thought he lost a little bit of focus maybe in the ninth there, and then recomposed himself and got it done when he needed to."
 
Zach Stanko picked up his first collegiate hit for the Lancers while also drawing a walk. Champagne extended his hitting streak to four straight games to start the season.
 
"It's always great to see a freshman get his first hit, and Zach Stanko came off the bench and delivered one," said Mau.
 
Justin Miller (0-1) took the loss for Purdue Fort Wayne. He surrendered five runs, four earned, on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts.
 
The Lancers are back in action on Tuesday for their first road test of the season. They travel to 17^th ranked N.C. State, with their first pitch set for 3 p.m. at Doak Field at Dail Park in Raleigh, North Carolina.
 
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