FARMVILLE, Va. – Justin Mitchell picked up a career-high three RBI and three Lancers finished with multi-hit games, but Lafayette rallied in extras to down Longwood, 10-6, Tuesday at Buddy Bolding Stadium.
 
In its final game before the start of Big South play Longwood (5-10) played a tightly contested back-and-forth game, but Lafayette (7-9) scored five runs in the top of the 10th inning to take the game.
 
"We didn't pitch very well, didn't play very good defense, and threw away at-bats early in the game," Longwood head coach Ryan Mau said. "We missed a golden opportunity in the eighth to cash in. Their clutch hitters stepped up and delivered and we failed to perform in that same situation."
 
In the loss Longwood outhit Lafayette 10-9, but fell for the first time in 2018 when crossing the 10-hit threshold and for the first time when outhitting an opponent.
 
Mitchell continued a recent hot stretch going 1-for-4 with a double, one walk, and three RBI, matching his career high for runs driven in. Mitchell, who leads the team with 10 RBI, has picked up seven RBI in the last three games, which includes a three-RBI game against Iona.
 
Sammy Miller, Grant Keller, and Jawan McAllister each picked up two hits Tuesday, which included the first career home run for Keller.
 
Like Mitchell, Eric Crain had a multi-RBI game, bringing in a pair of runs in a 1-for-5 game.
 
Tommy Green (0-1) took the loss for Longwood pitching a scoreless ninth inning before allowing Lafayette's late rally.
 
Michael Dunn (2-0) picked up the win with 3.0 innings of one-run ball, only allowing one run on Keller's solo shot.
 
Out of the bullpen freshman Todd Moxey made his third consecutive scoreless outing, tossing 2.0 innings of one-hit ball.
 
"Todd Moxey did an outstanding job today," Mau said. "He's been working really hard and I loved seeing him have the success he had today. We need some more guys out of the bullpen to step up."
 
Moxey was one of three freshmen to make an appearance out of the bullpen Tuesday, alongside Green and Maceo Campbell.
 
In a game that featured four lead changes and went to extras, Lafayette struck first with a third-inning rally to take a 1-0 lead. Quentin Bubb walked to start the inning and stole second base, moving to third on a throwing error by Lancer catcher Joey Mendez. Luke Robinson took advantage with a single to left, plating Bubb.
 
Longwood rallied back to take the lead in the home half of the fourth inning. Miller and Antwaun Tucker each singled to begin the inning. The next batter was Nate Blakeney, who tried to lay down a sacrifice bunt, but was hit by pitch to fill the bases. Blakeney had to be removed from the game after the errant pitch hit him. Eli Mercado entered the game to run for Blakeney and play second base.
 
The next batter, Mitchell, worked a walk to force in a run and tie the game at one run. Two batters later Crain gave the Lancers the lead with a single into center field, plating both Tucker and Mercado, to make it 3-1 Longwood.
 
Lafayette came right back with a big inning in the top of the fifth. Robinson walked to start the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After a walk drawn by Spencer Rouse, Longwood pitcher John Gregory committed an error on a failed pickoff attempt, allowing a run to score and moving Rouse to third on the play. After Patrick Nelson was hit by pitch to put runners on the corners, a suicide squeeze play by Trey Durrah brought in Rouse and moved Nelson to second base. After an error in the next at-bat moved Nelson to third, a wild pitch brought him in, giving Lafayette a 4-3 lead.
 
Longwood got the runs back in the next half inning. With two outs Tucker started a rally, reaching on an error at third base. Mercado then singled to set the table for Mitchell, who doubled to right-center and pull the Lancers ahead, 5-4.
 
The lead held until the seventh when Lafayette tied the game without the benefit of a hit. Rouse drew a walk to start the inning and moved to second base on a wild pitch. On a passed ball Rouse moved to third base. Three batters later, with runners on the corners and one out, another successful squeeze play for Lafayette brought in the tying run.
 
In the home half of the eighth inning the Lancers worked a great opportunity to try for the go-ahead run. Keller singled to right and Ryan Shull reached on an error to give the Lancers two runners with no outs. Two batters later Miller walked to load the bases with one out. A pair of strikeouts in the next two at-bats ended the inning.
 
Lafayette broke the game open in the top of the 10th inning. Steven Cohen singled to start the inning and Robinson walked to give Lafayette a pair of base runners. After a wild pitch moved up both runners, an intentional walk filled the bases. A bases-loaded walk forced in the go-ahead run and a two-run single, followed by a two-run triple gave Lafayette a 10-5 lead.
 
Keller homered in the bottom of the 10th, a solo blast to left, for Longwood's lone run back in the inning. The first-career homer was the second of the season overall for the Lancers.
 
Longwood returns to the field to open Big South play at home against High Point this weekend. Game one of the series is set for 6 p.m. Friday at Buddy Bolding Stadium.
 
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