Lancers Slip Past HPU Panthers, 5-4, in Big South Baseball Opener

• Redshirt-junior Daniel Millwee reached base three times and launched his team-leading third home run of the season.
• Senior Carson Jackson laced a two-run homer for his first round-tripper of the campaign.
• High Point and Longwood continue the three-game series on Saturday at 4 p.m.

FARMVILLE, Va. – A five-run fifth inning proved to be the difference in the High Point University baseball team’s Big South opener as the Panthers fell to Longwood, 5-4, on Friday afternoon at Buddy Bolding Stadium.

High Point (8-9, 0-1) got off to a quick start in the first inning when redshirt-junior Daniel Millwee clocked a pitch to deep center that appeared to land beyond the wall and ricochet back in play. However, the umpires ruled the ball was in play, but Millwee was still able to circle the bases for an inside-the-park homer, his team-leading third home run of the year.

HPU added to its lead via the long ball in the fourth inning when senior Carson Jackson crushed a no-doubt two-run shot halfway up the berm in left field to push the Panthers ahead 3-0. The lead swelled to 4-0 on a run-scoring wild pitch in the fifth inning.

The game turned, though, in the home half of the frame. Senior Jordan Sergent, who had induced two double plays to escape jams earlier in the game, was unable to survive the inning. The first six Lancers reached base to even the game at four via a two-run double and a two-run single. Senior Rion Murrah relieved Sergent and yielded a go-ahead sacrifice fly to put Longwood ahead 5-4.

High Point had two runners on base in the seventh inning with two away, but Millwee grounded out to end the threat. The Panthers put the tying run on base with two outs in the eighth and ninth innings, but Michael Catlin was able to work around both hits to earn the save.

Murrah (1-2) was charged with the loss in relief, allowing the final run. He ended up tossing four innings, striking out four and walking one. Steven Farkas (1-3) earned the win for Longwood, giving up four runs on five hits in 6.2 innings.

Senior Hunter Lee went 1-for-4 on the day to extend his team-best hitting streak to nine games in a row.

The series continues on Saturday afternoon with a 4 p.m. first pitch before wrapping on Sunday at 2 p.m.