CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The 11th-ranked team in the nation flexed its muscles as Virginia beat Longwood, 13-2, Tuesday night at Davenport Field.
No. 11 Virginia (30-9) took a 2-0 lead on a two-run home run by Cameron Simmons in the second inning and led the Lancers (12-23) the rest of the way.
Pavin Smith led the way for the Cavaliers at the plate with a 4-for-4 game, driving in three runs. Smith was one of four hitters for Virginia to drive in multiple runs. Andy Weber went 2-for-4 with three RBI, Robbie Coman was 1-for-4 with a two-run home run, and Simmons had three RBI for UVA.
Virginia, the top hitting team in the ACC and the conference's leader in runs scored, picked up 12 hits in the game.
Bennett Sousa (3-0) picked up the win with 2.1 perfect innings out of the bullpen, striking out five batters in his outing.
Jon Peterson (1-1) was hit with the loss in his first career start as the sophomore southpaw tossed 3.2 innings of three-run ball on five hits and three walks issued.
Nathan Iskowitz picked up a pinch-hit RBI single for Longwood's lone RBI.
Antwaun Tucker went 1-for-4 with a walk, one run scored, and two stolen bases, while
Sammy Miller was 0-for-1 with three walks as the lone Lancers to reach base multiple times in the loss.
After placing a runner in scoring position in each of the first three innings, the Lancers broke through for their first run of the game in the third inning. Tucker beat out an infield single to start the frame and stole second to get into scoring position. With two outs
Michael Osinski hit a ground ball on the right side of the infield that was misplayed by Smith at first and turned into the first Lancer run of the game.
Virginia got the run right back in the home half of the third with a one-out walk by Haseley followed by a double by Smith.
The game remained 3-1 until UVA broke out for six runs in the fifth inning. The Cavaliers rallied for four more runs in the seventh inning to stretch out the Cavalier lead.
In the top of the eighth inning Miller reached on a one-out walk, followed by a walk drawn by
Grant Keller, who was at the plate in a pinch-hit appearance. Two batters later with two outs, Iskowitz dropped a ball into shallow left-center that brought Miller around to score.
Longwood returns to action Friday to begin a weekend set at home against Winthrop, which is currently tied for first place in the Big South standings. Game one can be heard on 92.9 FM Farmville WVHL Kickin' Country. First pitch for game one against Winthrop is set for 6 p.m. at Buddy Bolding Stadium.
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