BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Kyri Washington's RBI double in the top of the eighth broke a 2-2 knot to push Longwood past No. 25 Campbell 3-2 Friday evening at Jim Perry Stadium.
Longwood improved to 17-18 overall and 7-6 in Big South play, while Campbell dipped to 29-7 on the season and 9-4 in conference games. The teams will continue the three game series tomorrow with a 1 p.m. doubleheader.
Washington doubled after scored Travis Biddix, who pinch ran for Scott Burkett after the junior catcher led off the inning with a single up the middle.
The Lancers posted two runs in the first inning after Alex Owens' RBI double and Burkett's RBI groundout.
The Camels posted runs in the third and seventh, recording their first as Michael DeLucia scored on a Lancer error. John Reilly's two out single in the seventh tied the contest at 2-apiece, plating Nick Ray, who also reached on a LU miscue.
Campbell threatened in the eighth, putting two on with one away, but a deep fly out and a groundout to third ended the inning for the Camels. Aaron Myers pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the ninth to seal the series opener.
Myers earned the save, his seventh of the season, pitching two innings with two hits and a walk. LU starter Kyler Morgan allowed two unearned runs on six in seven innings of work, adding a strikeout to improve to 3-4 on the year.
CU starter Ryan Mattes was charged with the loss, falling to 6-2 on the season after scattering three runs, two earned, on 10 hits with seven strikeouts and a walk in 7 1/3. It was the third time this season Mattes collected seven strikeouts in a game, a career-high.
Ryan Thompson struck out one in 1 2/3.
Colton Konvicka went 3-for-5 with a run scored to lead the Lancers, while Owens and Burkett added two hits each and a RBI.
Brent Graham and Michael Felton both went 2-for-4 for the Camels, while Reilly notched a 2-for-3 night with a RBI in his fifth start.
The Camels will head to North Carolina Central on Tuesday before taking on Appalachian State Wednesday in Thomasville, N.C. Campbell returns to Big South play over the weekend, hosting VMI (April 19-20).
