CHARLESTON, S.C. – Despite the first career home run for senior outfielder Ryan Shull and the first multi-hit game for junior Eric Crain, the Lancers were on the short end of a 9-5 loss to Charleston Southern Thursday at CSU Ballpark.

Charleston Southern (9-18, 2-5 Big South) put forth its best offensive performance of the season with a season-high nine runs, including two home runs, on a windy day in Charleston. In the loss Longwood (6-17, 1-6 Big South) committed three errors, which led to four unearned runs for Charleston Southern.

Steven Farkas (1-5) took the loss for the Lancers, allowing nine runs, five earned, on nine hits and two walks in 7.0 innings pitched with six strikeouts, but was tagged for three home runs in the loss.

"The long ball beat us tonight," Longwood head coach Ryan Mau said. "They took some big swings and were able to connect on a few."

Farkas, the lone Longwood pitcher named a starter entering the weekend, battled to eat up innings and save the bullpen, throwing 104 pitches, 70 for strikes.

After Farkas Daniel Brandon was the only other Lancer pitcher used Thursday. The freshman left-hander tossed a scoreless eighth inning, collecting his third consecutive scoreless outing.

In a designated staff day, Cody Maw (2-0) picked up the win for Charleston Southern. Maw, the first of six Buccaneer pitchers, tossed 4.1 innings of two-run ball with four strikeouts.

"Crain and Shull had a good day at the plate for us," Mau said. "We need more guys contributing to be able to score in bunches."

Shull scored a pair of runs for the Lancers, going 1-for-3 with a fifth-inning solo shot for his first homer. Crain joined Shull with a pair of runs and also had a career day, going 2-for-4 for his first multi-hit game.

Every Longwood starter either reached safely or drove in a run in the loss. The Lancers rallied for three runs in the ninth inning, reminiscent of their late-game rally at the end of the series at Winthrop, but Longwood fell out of gas in the comeback charge.

Charleston Southern struck first with a two-out rally in the home half of the first inning. After Jason Miller walked with two away, Derek Horton hit a high drive to left-center that carried out for a two-run home run, giving Charleston Southern a 2-0 lead.

Longwood got a run back with its own two-out rally in the top of the second. Crain singled with two outs and then stole second base to set up Jawan McAllister, who singled into left field to bring in a run and cut the deficit to 2-1.

Charleston Southern added to the lead in the home half of the third with three unearned runs. The inning started with Josh Litchfield reaching on an error. Two batters later with one out, Kyle Vesnesky singled to place a pair on. With two outs Horton walked to load the bases and Cole German took advantage of the extra out with a three-run single, advancing to second on an error, making it a 5-1 Charleston Southern lead.

The Lancers got back on the board in the fifth inning with the first long ball by Shull. The second-year Lancer, a transfer from Indian Hills Community College, Shull hung in with two strikes against him and blasted the 1-2 offering to right for his first-career home run.

Charleston Southern then came back with a homer of its own in the next half inning. After Mike Sconzo was hit by pitch with one out in the home half of the fifth, Miller homered to bring the CSU lead to 7-2.

Longwood refused to go quietly into the night. Down to their final outs in the ninth inning, the Lancers put together their biggest rally of the game. Crain started the top of the ninth with a single to center, followed by walks by Tyler Mahone and Shull. Eli Mercado forced in a run with a walk as Longwood had a run in, bases loaded, and still no outs recorded. Sammy Miller brought in the next run, reaching on a fielder's choice that plated Mahone. Antwaun Tucker brought in the next run on a squeeze play, giving himself up on a bunt to bring in Shull and cut the deficit to 9-5.

The series continues Friday with the second game of the series. Friday night's game is set to stream on ESPN3 and can be viewed through the Watch ESPN App. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. at CSU Ballpark.

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