Charleston, S.C. - After a fast start, Charleston Southern (9-19, 2-6) couldn't hold on to the lead as Longwood (7-17, 2-6) rallied in the middle innings to top CSU 7-5 on Friday night.

The Bucs loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning. Ryan Rizk singled up the middle to drive home two runs and give the Bucs a 2-0 lead. In the second, Josh Litchfield laid down a perfect safety squeeze bunt to bring home a run while RBI singles from Kyle Vesnesky and Jason Miller scored two more and give CSU a five run lead.

Longwood showed some life in the third inning when back-to-back hits scored three runs in total and brought the score to 5-3. A solo home run in the fourth made it a one run game, but Longwood wouldn't take the lead until a two run home run in the sixth inning gave the Lancers the 6-5 advantage.

Once they fell behind, CSU began to struggle at the plate. The team combined for just four hits in the last four innings. A bases loaded walk in the ninth added some insurance for the Lancers, but they wouldn't need it as Michael Catlin struck out the side in the ninth inning to end the game.

Tommy Green (1-1) got the win for Longwood. He threw three scoreless innings with three hits, one walk, and four strikeouts.

Eddie Hiott (2-1) took the loss for CSU, pitching one inning and allowing two unearned runs on one hit with four strikeouts.

Michael Catlin (2) picked up the save for Longwood, working two and two thirds scoreless innings with one hit, two walks, and four strikeouts.

News & Notes

• The Buccaneers had 12 hits tonight, their second highest total in a loss this season.
• Mike Sconzo extended his hitting streak to five games. He's hit safely in eight of his last nine games.
• Four CSU pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts tonight marking the 15th double-digit strikeout game of the season.
• Cody Smith struck out three tonight giving him 26 on the year, the most for any CSU pitcher without a start.

Up Next

CSU will wrap up their Big South Conference series with Longwood on Saturday afternoon. First pitch at the CSU Ballpark is set for 2 p.m.