ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville outslugged Longwood 11-8 on Sunday afternoon to sweep the series despite a career day on offense by
Antwaun Tucker. Tucker racked up four hits to tie a career high he set on Friday night and added two RBI and three runs scored as the leadoff bat for the Lancers, but Asheville (11-15, 6-3 Big South) snowballed nine runs home in the fifth and sixth innings to get the win.
"We showed a ton of fight today," said Longwood head coach
Ryan Mau. "Unfortunately it wasn't enough, and we came up a little short. One big swing of the bat was the difference."
Tucker scored or drove in five of the first six runs for Longwood (7-20, 2-7 Big South) for an early 6-2 lead, but Asheville snatched the lead with homers in the fifth. Andrew Friedholm hit a solo homer to left to start the bottom half of the inning, and Danny Wilson dropped a three-run bomb to cap the rally for a 7-6 lead.
In the top of the sixth, Tucker tripled and scored, but Asheville again loaded the bases. Wilson singled the go-ahead run home, and Anthony Cuozzi poked a pinch-hit single to score two more. Carmine Pagano had an RBI single that made it a four-run game at 11-7.
Nate Blakeney swatted a solo homer to left field to start the bottom of the eighth to cut the lead to 11-8.
Eric Crain followed it up with a double, but UNC Asheville turned to closer Kole Harris. After a single put runners at the corners, Harris ended the threat with a popup and strikeout.
At the start of the game,
Carlos Garrido singled in two runs in the first, and Tucker knocked one home in the second as Longwood took an early 4-0 lead. Tucker finished the weekend 8-12 with five runs scored, three RBI, two doubles and a triple after missing 13 of the previous 15 games due to an injury.
"He had an outstanding weekend for us," said Mau. "He had been a big piece missing in our infield and lineup."
"Offensively we are starting to do what we are capable of. We need our starting pitchers to go deeper in games for us, and we are still in need of better bullpen performances from guys."
Josh Longabaugh (1-2) took the loss after surrendering five runs, two earned, on two hits and two walks while striking out two in 1.2 relief innings. He came on for
Nick Fuchs after Fuchs gave up five runs while pitching into the fifth inning.
Ethan Tressler (1-0) earned the win after pitching the final out of the top half of the sixth. He gave up one hit and one unearned run. Harris picked up his sixth save of the season and second of the series after coming on with one out in the eighth. He gave up one hit while striking out one in 1.2 innings.
Longwood heads home for four straight at Buddy Bolding Stadium. Tuesday, the team takes on in-state foe Virginia Commonwealth. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
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