Longwood University Athletics

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Longwood baseball just doesn't quit.
 
With the Lancers (32-26) playing their fourth game in as many days, this time at a new location in Boiling Springs due to weather that has severely impacted the schedule at HomeTrust Park in Asheville, Brogan Jones made sure the team will play at least one more.
 
The junior drove in the go-ahead run in the 11^th inning for the Lancers (32-26) to survive, advance and eliminate No. 2 seed Winthrop (33-24) 4-3 on Saturday.
 
With two outs, Jon Howard walked before Jae'dan Carter reached on an error, and Jones then deposited a single to center to plate the go-ahead run and cap a day that saw him drive in three of Longwood's four runs on the day.
 
Now, the Lancers will play the loser of No. 1 seed High Point and No. 3 USC Upstate tonight. The three Big South tournament wins are the most for Longwood since joining the league.
 
SCORING:
               R             H            E
LWU      4             5             0
WU        3             12           2
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
Longwood took the lead in the first inning. Tré Keels led off with a single, and Ben Pulliam was hit by a pitch. Howard singled home Keels, and Jones added an RBI groundout for a 2-0 lead.
 
From that point on the game turned into a pitcher's duel as Longwood starter Drew Siegner and Winthrop starter Walker Brodt refused to budge.
 
Siegner delivered when Longwood had to have depth, going a career-best 7.1 innings while striking out a career-high six. He limited Winthrop to two runs on seven hits and did not issue a walk.
 
Meanwhile, Brodt tossed 7.1 innings while striking out six. He gave up three runs on four hits. But both starters took a no decision.
 
Winthrop scraped home a run in the third on a Jaylen Hernandez RBI single, but Jones answered with a solo home run for the Lancers to re-establish the two-run lead.
 
From that point on, it was a white-knuckle affair. Winthrop trimmed the lead to one in the eighth with an RBI single from Ethan Wilson, and the Eagles tied it by scoring from second on an infield single in the ninth to send the game to extra innings.
 
Brady Hoover (4-5) earned the win for Longwood after coming on in relief in the 10^th for the Lancers. He retired five of the six batters he faced.
 
Harrison Wilson (4-2) took the loss for Winthrop. He gave up the go-ahead run, which was unearned, in his 3.1 innings of work while striking out six against three walks and a hit.

WHAT THEY SAID:

"This team is unbelievable," said Longwood Head Coach Ray Noe. "I don't really even know how to describe what is happening. I'm doing my best to get out of their way and just let them play."

"Drew Siegner gave us the start of his life and was absolutely incredible today," said Noe. "He mixed pitches to all parts of the plate and kept their hitters off balance all day. One for the ages that yet again will never be forgotten."

"I loved the focus from our offense all day," Noe added. "They continue to execute situationally at a high level, and Brogan's swing there in the 11th capped off an incredible day for him. I'm so proud of the way he's stayed the course especially here this week."
 
ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• The Lancers hit 10 home runs in four Big South Tournament games.
• Longwood won two Big South Tournament games for the third time in its five tournament appearances. The team also won two tournament games in 2013 and 2016.
• Siegner's previous career-longest start was 6.0 innings at The Citadel on April 4.
• Longwood matched the 32-win mark last achieved in 2016.
• Longwood has never won three Big South Tournament games before.
• The Lancers will play their fifth game in four days tonight.

 
UP NEXT:
 
Longwood will face the loser of USC Upstate and High Point for the right to advance to the championship game on Sunday. The time for tonight's game is still to be determined. All remaining games will be at John Henry Moss Stadium in Boiling Springs, N.C.
 
#GoWood #HorsePower