LOUISVILLE, KY. – No. 4 Louisville's Blake Tiberi roped a two-run double to right-center as a part of a five-run inning that led to a dominant Louisville win, 10-1, over Longwood Tuesday afternoon at Jim Patterson Stadium.
Louisville (10-2) batted around in the third inning and scored five runs to create all the separation necessary to end Longwood's (7-5) five-game winning streak. Corey Ray singled to start the five-run third inning and led the way for the Cardinal offense with a single, RBI, walk, two runs scored, and four steals in the Louisville win.
"That is a very good Louisville team and we definitely had our hands full tonight," Longwood head coach
Ryan Mau said following the loss. "The third inning got away from us and we put our offense in a difficult position."
The one run for the Lancers was the lowest scoring total since being held to one in the season opener at East Carolina. The Lancers did manage 10 baserunners with seven hits and three walks.
Kade McClure (3-0) got the win for Louisville with 5.0 innings of one-run ball, while
Zach Potojecki (0-3) was hit with the loss after allowing six runs, four earned, on five hits in 2.1 innings with three walks.
Jon Peterson pitched well in relief for the Lancers. The freshman lefty allowed one run across 4.0 innings on three hits with no walks. Left-handed relief pitcher
Sean Pico made his season debut in the loss. The transfer from Salt Lake Community College allowed two hits in 1.0 inning of work with a pair of strikeouts.
"I was impressed with the way Peterson and Pico competed for us on the mound," Mau said. "Offensively we are headed in the right direction, but we are still in need of a few more pitchers to step up and contribute."
Longwood took an early 1-0 lead against the Cardinals. After
Sammy Miller walked to start the game and got into scoring position,
Alex Lewis hit an RBI single into center field to give Longwood the advantage in the top of the first inning. Louisville evened the score with a run in the bottom of the first and the game was even until Louisville's five-run rally in the third inning.
Miller continued his strong sophomore campaign extending his on-base streak to seven games with his first inning walk. Miller also singled in the seventh inning and finished the game 1-for-3. Miller leads the team with a .341 batting average.
Lewis and senior first baseman
Connar Bastaich each put together multi-hit games for Longwood in the loss.
Lewis went 2-for-4 with an RBI single. Lewis leads Longwood with 12 RBI on the season and extended his hitting streak to five games. Bastaich had a multi-hit game with a pair of singles in a 2-for-3 day.
Longwood's road trip continues with a game at Morehead State Wednesday before returning for a weekend series with Hofstra. First pitch at Morehead State is set for 3 p.m.
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