FARMVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — The Longwood Lancers erupted for eight runs in a disastrous first inning for NJIT and never looked back, cruising to a 15-0 victory over the Highlanders in the first game of a Saturday doubleheader at Bolding Stadium.

The game was effectively decided in the opening frame, as Longwood sent 14 batters to the plate against two NJIT pitchers. The Lancers capitalized on two hit batters and a critical error to build an insurmountable lead before many in the Valentine’s Day crowd had settled into their seats.

NJIT starter Brandon Falc was chased after recording just one out, loading the bases on two hit batters and a single. Reliever Becker Sybir entered but was immediately greeted by an RBI single from Jones B. The inning then exploded when cleanup hitter Keels T. launched a grand slam over the left field wall, staking Longwood to a 5-0 lead.

The Highlanders’ defense compounded the trouble, as an error by shortstop Sheehan O’Connor extended the inning. Longwood proceeded to tack on three more runs on a run-scoring double from Pulliam B. and a two-run single from Nash Jay., making it 8-0 before the inning finally ended.

The Lancers continued the onslaught in the second inning, batting around for a second consecutive frame and plating six more runs. The big blow was a three-run homer from Jones B., his second hit of the day, which pushed the lead to 14-0. Johnson L. added a two-run single earlier in the inning.

Longwood’s 14 runs in the first two innings came on 10 hits, three hit batters, two walks, and the costly NJIT error. The Lancers finished the game with 12 hits, while five pitchers combined to hold the Highlanders to just five singles. NJIT never advanced a runner past second base.

The most important part of the game was unequivocally the bottom of the first inning. Longwood’s offensive explosion, highlighted by Keels T.’s grand slam, immediately placed NJIT in a deep hole from which it showed no ability to recover. The early rally set a dominant tone, allowed Longwood to liberally substitute, and rendered the final seven innings a formality.

NJIT’s offensive highlights were few. Leadoff hitter Ty Sallie and second baseman Jack Stead each had two of the team’s five hits. Designated hitter Cole Campbel was hit by a pitch twice.

Longwood starter Hoover B. earned the win with five scoreless innings of three-hit ball, striking out four. The loss was charged to Falc, though Sybir and two subsequent relievers were also tagged for runs.

With the victory, Longwood remains perfect on the young season, improving to 3-0. NJIT, which lost 10-1 to the Lancers on Friday, falls to 0-3. The teams were set to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday afternoon.

The Lancers will next travel to face North Carolina on Wednesday. NJIT continues its difficult opening road swing with a game at Presbyterian on Feb. 20.