Longwood rallied from a 5-0 deficit to take a 7-6 lead, but it was not enough as Georgia walked off with an 8-7 victory in the bottom of the ninth after Mike Bell singled home pinch-runner Josh Day to force a rubber match in the series on Sunday.
After the Lancers got off to another slow start, the blue and white found its sixth-inning magic once more with a five-run rally on just two hits to knot the game at five all. It was the second-straight game in which Longwood had a big sixth inning after the Lancers scored seven runs on Friday night.
Colton Konvicka finished the day with three RBI including a two-run single in the top of the seventh to stake the Lancers to a 7-6 advantage. The junior center fielder recorded his second multi-RBI game of the series and has now hit in four consecutive games.
Konvicka’s seventh-inning RBIs were not enough however as Georgia rallied to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning and then knocked back-to-back-to-back singles in the bottom of the ninth for the walk-off victory.
“Today was an exciting back-and-forth college baseball game,” said first-year head coach Ryan Mau. “I’m very proud of the way we competed and were able to climb back from an early deficit.”
Georgia jumped out to an early lead as the Bulldogs tagged starter Travis Burnette for four runs on six hits in just 2.0 innings. The red and black scored in each of the first three innings to take a 5-0 lead over Longwood.
Devin Gould came on to start the third inning and threw 2.2 solid innings allowing just a single run to calm the early storm and keep the Lancers in the game. After Allen Ellis provided the final out of the fifth inning, Longwood spun off another huge sixth inning.
“We needed a better start from Travis today and unfortunately didn’t get it,” said Mau. I though our bullpen matchup guys weren’t sharp today. Devin did a good job of settling the game down for us and keeping our offense within striking defense.”
The blue and white lit up the scoreboard after Michael Osinski walked and advanced to third on a Mac McCafferty single. Osinski scored on a passed ball to give the Lancers their first run of the day. The next three Lancers walked to load the bases and plate a run, cutting the Bulldog advantage to 5-2.
After Travis Biddix brough home Brandon Harvell with a sacrifice fly and Kyri Washington plated a fourth Longwood run on a fielder’s choice, Brandon Delk provided the big hit to tie the game at 5-5.
“Offensively, we grinded out some tough at-bats and took advantage of a few free passes to put together the big sixth inning,” said Mau.
The tie didn’t last long though as Georgia answered right back with a run in the bottom half to retake a 6-5 lead. But Longwood had another rally in it as the blue and white tacked on a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to take its first lead of the day.
The Lancers did their seventh-inning damage on two-outs as Harvell drew a walk before C.J. Roth reached on an error by the Bulldog second baseman which put runners on second and third. With the lineup rolling over, Konvicka ripped a two-run single to center pushing Longwood into the lead for the first time Saturday.
Yet, much like the sixth, Georgia answered immediately on a walk and three singles before Luke Simpson punched out back-to-back batters to end the inning. After both teams went quietly in the eighth, it all came down to the final inning. While Simpson eventually took the loss, the coaching staff was pleased with the sophomore’s effort.
“Luke threw the ball very well tonight and showed the ability to be a key back-end arm for us going forward,” said Mau.
Longwood had its chance in the top of the ninth when the Lancers moved two runners into scoring position. McCafferty doubled to center, his first extra-base hit of the season, with one out to get the Lancers rolling. Harvell followed with a walk and both moved up on a Roth ground out to first. But Longwood couldn’t produce a run as a fly ball ended the Lancer threat.
Georgia capitalized on the opportunity in the bottom of the ninth, stringing together three-consecutive singles to finish off the Lancers and turn Sunday’s series finale into a rubber match.
“Even though we were on the short end of this one,” said Mau, “we battled extremely hard. Sunday brings us another opportunity for us to win the series and I expect us to come out fighting again.”
Longwood and Georgia conclude the series Sunday at 1 p.m. at Foley Field. The game will once again be carried on the SEC Network+ and ESPN3.
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