ROCK HILL, S.C. – Winthrop senior pitcher Zach Sightler tossed a quality start to lead the Eagles past Longwood, 4-2, on Winthrop's senior day Sunday afternoon at Winthrop Ballpark.
 
Sightler (4-2) led a Winthrop pitching staff that held the Lancers to just HITS hits. The senior righty spread out three hits across 6.0 innings with two runs allowed for Winthrop (27-23, 11-10 Big South). Freshman left-hander Steven Farkas (3-3) took the loss after allowing three runs on six hits in 5.1 innings of work for Longwood (30-22, 14-10 Big South). Zach Cook recorded the final out of the game with a pair of runners on, his team-leading ninth save of the season.
 
"I thought [Farkas] did a good job today, but was unfortunately on the wrong side of things," Longwood head coach Ryan Mau said. "I thought it was a really good outing from him. There was one pitch he may have left up a bit and unfortunately they put a good swing on it and that was the difference."
 
Winthrop's Mitch Spires had the big hit in the game, hitting a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth inning. Spires was 2-for-4 in the game, one of three Eagles to pick up multiple hits in the game.
 
Longwood's bullpen was led by 2.0 perfect innings from Michael Catlin. The appearance was the fifth perfect appearance of the season by Catlin and his sixth hitless outing.
 
"I though Catlin was outstanding," Mau said. "He did a great job and he continues to be a key piece in the bullpen."
 
The Lancers got on the board with a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Sammy Miller and Janos Briscoe each singled to start the frame and each scored in the inning to give Longwood a 2-1 lead.
 
"Great job of executing by [Briscoe] in getting the bunt down and a great job on the bases getting a great jump on a dirt ball read," Mau said. "Then with Roth executing with the infield back to drive in a run and [Connar Bastaich] coming up with a big two-out hit made it a good inning. It just wasn't enough offensive firepower today. We'll need to get back to work and get things going again as we head to Appalachian State."
 
The loss for the Lancers broke up a five-game winning streak in Big South games. The loss denied the Lancers of a sweep, but Longwood won the series and finished the season with the most conference wins in program history. The Lancers won four conference series, including two by sweep, both the most for a single season since joining the Big South for the 2013 season.
 
"I like the direction we're headed," Mau said. "In this time of the year it's all about playing the best baseball. We have to find a way to keep the momentum going in Boone."
 
Longwood begins the final series of the regular season Thursday at Appalachian State. First pitch in Boone, N.C., is set for 6 p.m.
 
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