RADFORD, Va. -
James Nelson blasted an RBI double, and
Dominick D'Ercole bounced back after throwing last night to help Longwood (23-29) take the series over Radford (16-34) Friday night. Nelson and D'Ercole provided big moments late in a 12-11, 11 inning win in the series finale after Radford won the first game of a doubleheader 6-4.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Game One:
Noah Campanelli: 2-4, 1R
Drew Camp: 2-3, 1 RBI, 1 2B
Game Two:
Dominick D'Ercole: 3.0 IP, 2 SO, Win
James Nelson: 3-3, 2 2B, 1 HR
Noah Campanelli: 2-4, 1 HR, 1 3B, 6RBI
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Game One:
Longwood struck first in game one when
Drew Camp hit an RBI single.
Radford wasted no time in grabbing the run back when Breckin Nace hit an RBI single up the middle. Radford then added another run in the second to take the lead.
Longwood took the lead in the third when
Hayden Harris hit a double to plate two. His 750th at bat put him second all time in Longwood hisotry for career at bats.
Radford took the lead in the bottom of the third, and after great pitching performances, Carson Bell blasted a two run shot to give the Highlanders some insurance runs.
Willie Havens hit a solo shot in the top of the ninth, but the Lancer comeback fell short.
Dylan Saale (3-1) earned the loss for the Lancers while Scott Rouse (4-5) grabbed the win.
Game Two:
In game two Longwood and Radford exchanged blows through the first six innings.
In the seventh
Noah Campanelli blasted a triple in the gap to give the Lancers a three run lead. Campanelli registered six RBI with a triple and grand slam in game two.
Casaey Gibbs followed that at bat up with a pinch hit squeeze to extend the Lancer lead.
James Nelson blasted a home run to extend the Longwood lead to 10-4.
In the bottom of the eighth Radford raced back, plating six runs on one hit to tie the game at 10.
In the ninth,
James Nelson delivered for the Lancers again with a double. The Lancers then turned to senior
Dominick D'Ercole on the mound. D'Ercole who faced 16 batters a night ago, was lights out for the Lancers.
Carson Bell tied the game in the ninth with a two out double in the gap.
After a scoreless 10th,
James Nelson delivered once again. He roped his second double of the game to give Longwood the lead for good. Dominick came on in the bottom of the 11th, and closed the door on the game, the season, and his career.
D'Ercole (5-2) picked up the win for the Lancers in his last career game, while Andrew Steinhaus (4-5) took the loss for Radford.
WHAT THEY SAID:
"I am proud of the way our guys fought today, and finished the year." Head coach
Chad Oxendine said. "I am so proud of our seniors, and proud of what they have done for this program. They have let their mark and we will forever be thankful for their determination to this team."
Longwood concludes the season at 23-29.
