The Lancers of Longwood University delivered a commanding 4‑1 victory over the third‑ranked USC Upstate Spartans on Tuesday night, a win that not only tightened the Big South Championship race but also forced a winner‑take‑all finale in front of a packed crowd in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.
Brady Hoover anchored the rotation, limiting the Spartans to six hits while striking out five, and Joe Gomez followed with a career‑best outing that fanned five batters in relief. Jon Howard’s fourth homer in six tournament games sparked the offense, while Ben Pulliam’s 23rd double of the season nudged the rally forward.
A Pitcher's Duel and a Timely Walk
Jae'dan Carter’s two‑out, bases‑loaded walk in the third added crucial runs, and Tyler Bruggeman made a sensational diving catch in left field to rob a potential home run. JR Fordham closed the game with his ninth save of the season, preserving the lead.
With the win, Longwood has now beaten every other team in the six‑team field at least once, a first in the conference’s modern era. The Lancers will meet USC Upstate again in an ‘if necessary’ showdown, marking their seventh game in five days. Jon Howard is now tied for second all‑time in home runs in a season with 16, and Pulliam moved into sole possession of second for doubles in a season with 23.
The performance underscores a deep pitching staff and a resilient lineup that could carry the team into the next round, as the program looks to capitalize on its historic run through the Big South tournament.