FARMVILLE, VA. - Sophomore Michael Osinski drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning of Longwood's 5-3 win over Fairleigh Dickinson, clinching a three-game sweep for the Lancers Sunday afternoon at Buddy Bolding Stadium.

The eighth inning heroics marked the second time in as many games Longwood (7-4) scored the winning run in the eighth inning. The sweep of Fairleigh Dickinson (1-5) is the first three-game sweep for the Lancers since the 2013 season. The win is Longwood's fifth in a row, the longest winning streak since the Lancers rattled off five in a row in the 2012 season.

"We had three pretty tight battles over this weekend," Longwood head coach Ryan Mau said after the win Sunday. "We did a great job executing and being able to pull out this late win today."

One common theme for the Lancers on the weekend was the performance of youngsters.

Sophomore Sammy Miller got on base a team-best 11 times in the three games following a 3-for-4 game Sunday. Miller scored twice out of the lead-off spot, including the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth on Osinski's RBI single to right field on an 0-2 pitch.

"Sammy is on fire right now and hopefully he can continue to do what he's doing at the top of the lineup," Mau said. "He's seeing the ball really well up there and he's had some great at bats."

Miller leads Longwood in hits (13), runs scored (10), on base percentage (.479), and is hitting a team-best .351 (13-for-37).

Miller's performances at the plate were complemented by freshman Cody Boydstun on the mound, who saved all three games for the Lancers.
"For a freshman to come in and lock up three games which were tight like that was really impressive," Mau said. "I think he's getting better and better. Before the game he told me he'd be able to give us the inning if it was there and he warrants the ball because of his performance so far. Right now he's the guy in the back end and he's done a great job for us."

The young right-hander boasts a team-high four saves and nailed down the final three outs in the finale.

"Especially as a freshman it's a really big confidence boost being the guy late in games all weekend," Boydstun said after picking up his third consecutive save.

Cameron Trichka (1-0) picked up the win after pitching 3.0 innings in relief of starter Steven Farkas. The freshman lefty, Farkas, allowed one run in 5.0 innings and only allowed two hits with four strikeouts to two walks. FDU relief pitcher Danny Demetrops (1-1) was hit with the loss after allowing Miller to reach in the decisive eighth inning.

"I'm excited to have all those three new guys throw the ball really well for us today," Mau said. "Steven Farkas had a great outing in his first collegiate start and he deserved a better fate. Cameron Trichka also threw the ball outstanding and of course we let Cody do it again. The new guys are doing a great job, they're getting a lot of experience, and it should pay off for us down the road."

Trichka, a junior, joined Longwood prior to the start of the season after transferring from junior college Cuesta College in California. The Elizabeth, Colo., native has made four appearances for Longwood out of the bullpen and struck out four batters with one walk.

Longwood's offense as a whole had a season-high 11 hits in the game and picked up 26 total hits in the three games, the most of any of the three weekend series played.

"We knew they were going to throw their best velocity guy today and the guys did a great job at the plate today," Mau said. "They worked hard in pregame and stuck with the game plan and executing. We did a great job situationally. C.J. Roth put down a great sacrifice bunt with Miller on second base and then Mike Osinski hit something up with the infield in to drive in the go-ahead run."

After Miller scored the go-ahead run in the inning, Alex Lewis capped of the rally in the eighth with a solo home run to left, his second of the season.

Longwood held a two-run lead going into the eighth inning. In the top half the Knights rallied to score a pair of runs off of Trichka, tying the game at three.

Longwood jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning after Drew Kitson hit an RBI single to drive in Lewis, who had reached on a throwing error by FDU catcher Patrick McClure on a dropped third strike. Lewis got to second base on a single by senior first baseman Connar Bastaich, who also scored on Kitson's single due to an error. FDU committed three errors in the game.

With Boydstun, Farkas, catcher Carlos Garrido, and left-handed pitcher Jon Peterson getting into the action over the weekend four freshman made appearances in the series against FDU.

Boydstun said it was a bit of a new experience being in many high-pressure situations in a short time, but his walk-out song put in the proper frame of mind.

"As a closer I'm usually really calm until I hear my walk-up song getting going and then the adrenaline starts pumping and that gives me a little extra boost," Boydstun said.

Motorhead's "Ace of Spades" helped Boydstun to a strong weekend performance.

Longwood hits the road for two games in Kentucky during the week. The Lancers play at No. 4 Louisville Tuesday at 3 p.m. and wrap up the trip Wednesday at Morehead State for a 3 p.m. first pitch. Longwood returns home for a three-game weekend series against Hofstra that begins with a doubleheader Saturday at noon.

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