FARMVILLE, Va. – Justin Looney delivered the hit of the season with the game on the line for Longwood on Saturday afternoon against NJIT. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and the score tied at seven, the freshman smashed a no-doubt home run over the left field wall to walk off the Highlanders 11-7 and even the series.
 
Looney's first collegiate home run capped a thrilling game as Longwood (2-5) bounced back after NJIT (3-3) had tied the score in the top of the ninth. Drayven Kowalski drew a leadoff walk, and Andrew Gorham poked a single through the right side before Nate Blakeney was intentionally walked. Looney stepped to the plate and promptly deposited a 2-0 pitch over the outfield wall.
 
"We think very highly of Looney's ability, and it was awesome to see it all come out today," said head coach Ryan Mau. "For a young guy to step into that situation and deliver like he did is spectacular, and we are proud of him."
 
"Drayven Kowalski was critical to that ninth inning. He stayed ready and gave us a team at bat that we needed—the tough at bat that he gave us drew the walk and got things started. Then Andrew Gorham executed a slash-and-run to put us in that situation for Looney to do what he did."
 
For Longwood, the 11 runs came on 13 hits with only one strikeout as the offense hit double digit hits for the third time this season. Antwaun Tucker racked up his first three-hit performance of the season, and he was one of four Lancers with a multi-hit game. Jack Schnell, Hunter Gilliam and Looney each added a pair of hits.
 
"After yesterday, we talked about being way more aggressive early in counts, and I thought the guys bought in, and the results showed it," said Mau. "We were able to string together a bunch of hits there and limit the punch outs. They did a really good job as a unit. Antwaun Tucker got us started. Jack Schnell had a great day. Hunter Gilliam got himself going with 3 RBIs. Overall a really good day from the offense."
 
Longwood's offense erased a 5-0 hole that defensive miscues had helped create in the third inning. Ricky Jimenez poked a single to right field to start the inning, and Tucker swatted a home run to left field for a jolt of energy. The offense kept rolling and loaded the bases, and Gilliam delivered a two-run single to left field that trimmed the lead to one. Nate Blakeney evened the score with a high chopper to short one batter later.
 
"We've got a lot of work to do defensively," said Mau. "We were sloppy in the field for sure, and it gave them a big inning. We answered back immediately, and I thought that was critical for us to get the momentum back. It started with Ricky's single, and then Tucker with the big swing, and then it kind of rolled from there. I'm proud of their fight. That's what I asked them to do after yesterday was to show some fight, and I thought we did that today."
 
Longwood took its first lead thanks to Schnell's base knock in the fourth. The junior hit in his team-leading seventh RBI of the season with a single up the middle for a 6-5 advantage.
 
After NJIT evened the game with a run in the fifth, Gilliam put Longwood up with an RBI single in the sixth inning, his second RBI base knock of the game.
 
The Lancer pitching staff pitched well under pressure and escaped jams throughout the game, stranding 13 base runners. Outside of the five-run third inning that was extended due to defensive mistakes, Longwood's staff combined to limit NJIT to two runs in the other eight innings.
 
"I thought the pitching staff did an outstanding job," Mau said. "Some misfortune for John Gregory in the third defensively. We didn't handle the baseball behind him. I thought Andrew Potojecki did an excellent job, and then the bullpen did their roles. Aidan McEvoy came in and got a big left-handed hitter out to escape a jam in the fifth inning. Maceo came in and had a couple big punchouts and threw the ball very well today. Josh Longabaugh had an outstanding eighth, and Champagne, with a big strikeout there to give us the shot in the ninth, was awesome."
 
Champagne (1-0) earned the win for Longwood after closing out the final two outs of the ninth inning. He struck out one without allowing a hit.
 
Ryan Fischer (0-1) took the loss for NJIT after surrendering the grand slam in the bottom of the ninth. He came on in relief in the seventh inning and surrendered four runs on two hits with three walks without a strikeout.
 
Longwood and NJIT square off for the rubber match at noon on Sunday afternoon at Buddy Bolding Stadium.
 
#GoWood