HIGH POINT, NC - Longwood dropped game one to High Point Friday afternoon. The Lancers (15-19, 3-7 Big South) battled late, but High Point (18-16, 7-3 Big South) was able to pitch out of a jam to take the first game of the series 6-3.

TOP PERFORMERS:
Ryan Perez: 1-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R
Noah Campanelli: 1-3, 1 R, 1 SB
Owen Simmons: 3.0 IP, 3 SO, 1 ER

HOW IT HAPPENED:
High Point jumped out of the gate to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning courtesy of a two run home run from Charlie Klingler.

The Lancers got on the board in the top of the fourth on an RBI single from Tanner Thomas to cut the lead to 3-1. The Panthers responded however in the bottom half as well as the fifth to take a 5-1 lead heading into the sixth inning.

After a quiet frame from both sides in the sixth, Longwood added a run in the seventh. Ryan Perez blasted his first career home run to cut the lead to three. After a passed ball plated another, Longwood was down two with runners on second and third, but High Point worked out of the jam with no further damage.

The Lancers fought over the last two innings as Owen Simmons came out of the bullpen and kept the Panthers offense at bay, but Longwood was never able to push across the runs needed, dropping game one on Friday night.

Ethan Walker (1-2) took the loss for Longwood as Gus Hughes (4-4) got the win for High Point. 

WHAT THEY SAID:
"We have to find ways to execute down the stretch in these games to be successful." Longwood Head coach Chad Oxendine said. "Tomorrow is another day for us to continue to get better and grow as we try to even this series up at one heading into Sunday."

NOTABLES:
Ryan Perez hit his first career home run. He is the eighth different Lancer to hit a home run this season.

UP NEXT:
Longwood is back in action Saturday, April 13th at 4 pm against High Point for game two.