FARMVILLE, VA. – A wild pitch with the bases loaded in the eighth inning allowed the winning run to score from third base in the form of Friday's winning pitcher, Travis Burnette, as a part of a three-run frame as Longwood outlasted Fairleigh Dickinson 6-3 Saturday afternoon at Buddy Bolding Stadium.
 
With starting catcher Carlos Garrido at second base representing the go-ahead run with two runners on and two outs in the home half of the eighth inning, Longwood head coach Ryan Mau needed a pinch runner. Mau called upon Burnette, who threw 121 pitches in Friday's win. Two batters after Burnette stepped into scoring position as a pinch runner, the senior reacted quickly to a wild pitch and scored the winning run from third.
 
"Travis is athletic and who knows what he can provide us tomorrow, we'll see what he can do for us on Sunday," Mau said after the win. "He's our captain. He's one of our faster guys off the bench and he did a great job getting a good jump on that play at the plate."
 
Burnette, who began his collegiate career as an outfielder with the Lancers, made his first offensive appearance since picking up a pinch hit against Gardner-Webb in 2015.
 
The batters for Longwood (6-4) were a patient group in the win, drawing a season-high eight walks against Fairleigh Dickinson (1-4). The Lancers were paced by Sammy Miller, who drew a career-high four walks and scored a career-high three runs, each single-season highs for Longwood batters.
 
"Sammy is doing an outstanding job as the lead-off man," Mau said. "He understands what we're looking for in that role. The guy has worked extremely hard and it's starting to pay off for him."
 
Miller leads Longwood with 10 walks, a .455 on base percentage, and six steals on the season. Miller stole two bases in as many attempts in the win.
 
Jon Peterson (1-0) became the pitcher of record when Longwood scored in the eighth inning after he pitched a perfect top half of the eighth. Cody Boydstun got the save (3) Longwood, his second in as many days.
 
"Cody did another great job coming in and closing the door at the end," Mau said.
 
In the wild eighth inning Longwood had the bases empty and two outs when Garrido drew a walk, followed by a Brandon Harvell hit by pitch, and Miller's fourth free pass. After Burnette scored C.J. Roth swung at a 2-2 pitch and flared it into left field for a two-run single.
 
"We took advantage of some free passes to start that inning, and there was some great base running, particularly by Travis off the bench to score the winning run," Mau said. "C.J. Roth's hit was clutch to break the game open."
 
Neither starting pitcher received a decision in the game. Michael Catlin got the start for Longwood and went 5.0 innings with two runs allowed on six hits with five strikeouts and four walks. Catlin left the game in line for the win.
 
"I thought Catlin was okay, he put himself into some tough positions, but on the flip side he did a great job getting himself out of those positions with a couple of big punch outs," Mau said.
 
For FDU Chris Kachmar was on the hook to take the loss after allowing three runs across 5.0 innings of work. Kachmar received no decision thanks to a seventh inning run by shortstop Matt McCann, who scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of John Giakas, one of his team-high two RBI in the game.
 
Alex Lewis also had a strong game at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI, both on a two-run single in the third inning, which gave Longwood a 3-1 lead. Lewis tied Miller for the team lead with 10 hits and extended his team lead in RBI to 10.
 
Longwood has won four games in a row and is two games over .500 for the first time since beating William & Mary 9-7 to go to 12-10 in 2014. The win also clinches back-to-back winning weekend series for Longwood.
 
The Lancers wrap up the three-game set and go for the sweep of the Knights Sunday afternoon. Longwood sends out Steven Farkas (0-0) opposite of Logan Frati (0-0) for FDU. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Buddy Bolding Stadium.
 
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