Longwood University’s baseball team is set to compete against No. 3 USC Upstate in the Big South Tournament, marking its first playoff appearance since 2018. The Lancers finished the regular season with a winning record, led by a standout pitching staff that ranked third in the Big South in ERA. Despite being the sixth seed, Longwood’s performance, including five All-Big South honors, has positioned them as a competitive underdog against USC Upstate, which won six straight games to secure the third seed.

By the Numbers
  • Longwood's pitching staff ranks first in the Big South in strikeouts and third in ERA at 5.32.
  • Longwood has 138 stolen bases this season, leading the Big South in that category.
Yes, But

While Longwood's strong season includes impressive pitching and offensive performance, the Lancers need to enhance their batting average of .255 compared to USC Upstate’s .289 to compete effectively in the tournament.

State of Play
  • Longwood's recent series against USC Upstate was highly competitive, with all three games decided by one run.
  • The Lancers came off a mixed series with Winthrop, winning the opener 8-2 but losing subsequent games.
What's Next

As the Lancers face USC Upstate, they will aim to leverage their strong pitching and fielding to advance further in the tournament. Success will hinge on maintaining their defensive strengths while improving offensive consistency.

Bottom Line

To progress in the Big South Tournament, Longwood must capitalize on their pitching prowess and address their offensive weaknesses, particularly against a high-scoring opponent like USC Upstate. The focus should be on delivering a complete performance to secure a tournament victory.