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LEXINGTON, S.C. – All-Big South first-teamer Travis Burnette spun a gem, Alex Lewis homered again, and Sammy Miller reached base five times to lead No. 3 seed Longwood to an 8-6 opening-round win over No. 6 seed Winthrop on the first day of the 2016 Big South Championship at Lexington County Stadium.

The ace Burnette (8-1) pitched like one, earning the win by shutting out Winthrop (28-26) over the first six frames to lead the Lancers to their first opening-round win in three trips to the Big South Championship. Burnette worked into the seventh inning, scattering two runs – one earned – over 6.1 frames with four strikeouts to win his eighth consecutive decision.

"[Burnette] was outstanding," Longwood second-year head coach Ryan Mau said after the win. "I thought his off-speed stuff was plus today, he dropped the breaking stuff in and the change-up at will. He really found a rhythm later on and was able to get out of some jams."

Burnette outdueled Winthrop starter Sam Kmiec (6-7) for a second time this season after the Lancers bested the Eagles for a third time in four meetings in 2016. Kmiec took the loss after allowing eight runs, six earned, on 11 hits 6.0 innings, pitching into the seventh inning.

"I found like we really found a rhythm offensively," Mau said. "We really started seeing the ball well and we did some good things. We put down a couple of bunts to put pressure on them, came up with some timely hitting, had a couple of double steals in there as well, and really applied pressure in those middle innings."

Longwood scored runs in four consecutive innings from the fourth inning through the seventh, started by a four-run rally in the Lancer half to score the first runs of the game. The win sets up a rivalry showdown, as Longwood  (31-25) advances to Wednesday's quarterfinal against No. 7 seed Liberty, who upset No. 2 seed High Point 6-1 in the first game of the tournament.

Miller sparked Longwood's offense Tuesday, going 3-for-3 with two walks, a pair of RBI and a stolen base from the leadoff spot. He contributed a two-out, two-run single during a four-run fourth inning that put the Lancers ahead for good.

"It was a big breakthrough, kind of a big exhale, knowing we could put up runs and do what we talked about before the game and bust open for a big inning," Mau said. "It was good to put up a four-spot there early and give [Burnette] a little bit of room."

Lewis tacked on another run with a solo homer – his fifth of the season – in the fifth inning.

"It was great to see Alex Lewis unload on one," Mau said. "Overall it was a really great day for our offense."

The Lancers scored their sixth straight run of the game in the sixth inning on a Winthrop throwing error following a double steal by Miller and Brandon Harvell. The error allowed Harvell to reach home plate from third for a six-run lead.

After loading the bases, the Lancers tacked on another pair of runs in the seventh, as freshman catcher Carlos Garrido drew an RBI walk and senior outfielder Colton Konvicka came home on a balk by Winthrop's Freddie Sultan. Garrido's walk brought home Michael Osinski, and Konvicka's run pushed the Longwood lead to 8-2.

"I thought the effort was great all the way around," Mau said. "It was great to get some production there from the bottom half of our lineup. I thought [Drew Kitson] really put some great swings on the baseball. Harvell came up and delivered and Miller did an outstanding job out of that lead-off role for us. I couldn't be prouder of the offensive effort."

Winthrop made a strong push with a big three-run eighth inning to cut Longwood's lead to three runs. Shortstop Kyle Edwards hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Mitch Spires from third for the first run, before Tyler Asbill sent a line drive to right center for a two-RBI double.

"The bullpen was a little shaky there, we have to get a little cleaner, the bullpen has to be a little crisper tomorrow," Mau said. "Hopefully we got those anxious nerves out of the way and we'll be ready to go tomorrow."

At the start of the ninth inning, Roger Gonzalez brought the Eagles to within two runs of the Lancers with his lead-off solo shot. Gonzalez blasted a long ball over the right field fence to shorten Longwood's lead. Ryan Jones picked up the save, his fifth of the season, which is tied for the team lead.

After Gonzalez's home run, Mau stepped to the mound to speak with Jones. After the visit, Jones settled back in and got the final outs.

"I went to the mound and everyone kind of gave me that look, but I had already made up my mind and I told Jones he's my guy," Mau said. "He's been our guy all year long and we were going to stick with him right there and he responded. I couldn't be prouder of the way he bounced back and delivered as those final three outs are difficult to get."
 
Longwood returns to the field Wednesday to face Liberty for the first time in 2016 and for the first time since the Lancers eliminated the Flames in the 2015 tournament.

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