Longwood Baseball Heads to The Citadel for Easter Weekend Series
Farmville, VA – The Longwood University baseball team wraps up an eight-game road swing this weekend with a three-game series against The Citadel at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park in Charleston, South Carolina. The series, beginning Friday, marks a key stretch for the Lancers as they navigate the final weeks of the Big South Conference schedule. Longwood enters the series with an overall record of 18-11 and a 4-5 mark in conference play, currently holding sole possession of fourth place in the Big South standings. The Citadel, meanwhile, is 12-15 overall and 3-3 in the Southern Conference.
Both teams are coming off midweek losses. Longwood fell 6-1 to VCU on Wednesday, whereas The Citadel was narrowly defeated 3-2 by Coastal Carolina. Despite the recent setback, the Lancers remain one of the top offensive and pitching teams in the Big South, boasting a league-leading ERA and a potent lineup that has already launched 32 home runs this season. This series presents an opportunity for Longwood to build momentum as they approach the final stretch of the regular season and aim for a strong finish in conference play.
Pitching Prowess Fuels Longwood’s Success
A significant factor in Longwood’s success this season has been its pitching staff. The Lancers currently lead the Big South with a team ERA of 4.15, which ranks 36th nationally, according to NCAA statistics. NCAA Baseball Statistics show Longwood as well excels in limiting baserunners, topping the conference in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.76) – 21st in the nation – and fewest walks allowed per nine innings (3.15), ranking ninth nationally. This translates to the lowest WHIP (1.35) in the Big South, indicating a consistent ability to prevent opponents from reaching base.
The Lancers’ pitching success isn’t just about avoiding walks; it’s about consistently putting hitters away. Longwood leads the Big South in strikeouts per nine innings at 8.7. This ability to control the count and generate strikeouts has been crucial in minimizing damage and keeping opponents off the scoreboard.
Offensive Firepower Complements Strong Pitching
While the pitching staff has been a cornerstone of Longwood’s success, the offense has also played a vital role. The Lancer bats are second in the Big South with 60 doubles and 32 home runs, and third in slugging percentage (.439). Freshman Ben Pulliam is tied for the league lead with 12 doubles, a performance that places him 25th nationally. Jon Howard leads the team with eight home runs, tying him for fourth in the Big South. Brogan Jones paces the Lancers with 30 runs scored, tied for third in the conference.
Beyond power, Longwood also demonstrates a knack for getting on base. The team is second in the Big South in walks drawn with 164, ranking 31st nationally. Tre Keels leads the team with 27 walks, ranking third in the Big South and 34th nationally, and boasts a .505 on-base percentage, fourth-best in the conference. This combination of power and patience makes the Lancer offense a challenging matchup for opposing pitchers.
Series History and What to Expect
Longwood holds a 5-3 all-time record against The Citadel, but the teams haven’t met since February 21, 2021. In that series, Longwood took two of three games at The Citadel, winning 12-5 and 4-2 (in 10 innings) before falling in the finale, 9-6. While Longwood coach Ryan Noe hasn’t faced The Citadel as head coach, the Lancers will look to replicate their success from the previous series.
Statistically, the two teams present contrasting styles. Longwood boasts a higher batting average (.268 to .246) and has outscored opponents by a significant margin (187 runs for, 149 against). The Citadel, still, has shown a propensity for close games, with several contests decided by a single run. The Bulldogs have also demonstrated a willingness to run, with 60 stolen bases compared to Longwood’s 75.
| LWU | CIT | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Record | 18-11 | 12-15 |
| Conference Record | 4-5 | 3-3 |
| Batting Average | .268 | .246 |
| Opp. Batting Average | .257 | .263 |
| Runs | 187 | 152 |
The series is scheduled for Easter weekend, with games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. First pitch for Friday’s game is set for 6:00 PM ET. Fans can follow the action with live stats and video streaming available on the Longwood Athletics website.
Looking ahead, the outcome of this series will be crucial for Longwood as they continue their pursuit of a top seed in the Big South Tournament. The Lancers will need to maintain their strong pitching and consistent offensive production to secure a favorable position in the conference standings. Updates on the series and the team’s progress can be found on the Longwood Baseball website.
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