NORFOLK, Va. – Longwood managed only three hits, but took advantage of some Norfolk State miscues to come away with a 5-3 non-conference win over the Spartans on Tuesday afternoon at Marty L. Miller Field.

The Spartans (16-20) had their chances, but stranded 14 runners on the afternoon. They started off quickly, however, with a run in the bottom of the first. Reigning MEAC Player of the Week Justin Hayes opened the frame with a single. He advanced a base on a failed pickoff attempt, then stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Stephen Baughan.

The Lancers (10-30) got all the offense they would need in a three-run third that did not feature a hit. After Nathan Iskowitz reached on a one-out error, three straight free passes pushed across a run. Antwaun Tucker's bases-loaded walk scored Iskowitz with the tying run. Hunter Gilliam followed with a fly ball into right field which was misplayed for a two-run error, giving Longwood a 3-1 edge.

Jack Schnell hit a solo homer for Longwood in the fourth to extend the lead to 4-1. The Spartans got that run back in the sixth on Jaran Davis' sacrifice fly. But Tucker walked, stole two bases and scored on a wild pitch in the seventh.

The Spartans made things interesting in the ninth. Baughan singled and both Brandon Crosby and Ty Hanchey walked with two outs to load the bases. Trent Hanchey hit an infield single to short to score Baughan, but Longwood tagged out Crosby between third and home to end the rally.

James Deloatch (0-3) made his longest pitching appearance of the season for the Spartans. He pitched five innings and allowed just two hits and one earned run (four total). Deloatch walked five, hit one and struck out three, and was on the losing end of the decision. Justin Walton and Seth Hockett each fanned three hitters over two innings of relief work, allowing just one run combined, to keep NSU in it.

Michael Esposito (1-1) earned the win for Longwood. He also worked five innings, allowing three hits and two runs with four walks and two strikeouts. Nick Fuchs worked the final four innings to pick up the save. He struck out seven in relief of Esposito.

Baughan scored a run, drove in one and finished 2-for-3, including his MEAC-leading 16th double of the year.

NSU hosts North Carolina Central in a non-conference game at 4 p.m. Wednesday.