ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Tommy Moore Jr. pitched a complete gem of a game and Nico Santo had two hits and scored a run in a heartbreaking 10-inning 2-1 defeat to top-seeded and sixth-ranked University of Lynchburg on Friday afternoon in the opening game of the NCAA Regional Tournament hosted by North Carolina Wesleyan.

Santoro recorded the first hit of the game with a single to left in the top of the first. He then scored from first base two batters later on a Shane Stossel single to center to give the Dutchmen (28-16-1) a 1-0 lead. The Hornets (39-6) tied the game up in the bottom of the inning on a walk, wild pitch, and single to left. Moore struck out three batters in the first.

Moore shut down the Hornet offense over the next seven innings allowing just one hit and three walks while allowing just one Lynchburg runner to advance past second base. Santoro hit a two-out triple in the third inning but was stranded there as the Hornets were able to get the final out of the inning. The Dutchmen threatened again in the fourth as Dave Mangold and Jace Fetterman had back-to-back two-out singles to center field. Lynchburg was able to get out of the inning once again to keep the game tied.

The Dutchmen had another great opportunity in the ninth to score as they loaded the bases with two outs. Mangold had a one-out single to center, Andrew Miles hit a two-out single to left, and then Justin Ranker drew a pinch-hit walk. The Hornets were able to get out of the inning unscathed with a flyout to right. Hunter Tipton relieved Moore in the ninth and gave up a pair of two-out singles before inducing a grounder to third for the final out to send the game into extras. The Hornets led off the bottom of the 10th with a single to right. After two groundouts to move the runner to second base, Lynchburg received a walk-off single to right to score the winning run.

Inside the Box Score

• Moore pitched an incredible game in what could be his last start. The senior struck out eight in eight innings and allowed just two hits.
• Santoro recorded his 24th multi-hit game of the year and scored a run. His triple was his first of the season and was the only extra-base hit of the game.
• Mangold also had a multi-hit game, his ninth of the year.
• The Dutchmen outhit the Hornets 8-6.
• Stossel, Fetterman, Miles, and Pete Botbyl had a hit each.

Up Next

The Dutchmen will face a familiar foe in an elimination game on Saturday morning as they take on Elizabethtown College. The Blue Jays fell to host North Carolina Wesleyan 11-3 in the second game of the day. Game time is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday morning. LVC is looking to avenge a tough 13-2 defeat to the Blue Jays last month and advance to tomorrow's Game Five which is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start against the loser of the Lynchburg and North Carolina Wesleyan game.

Stay Connected
Be sure to follow @lvcathletics on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for the most in-depth coverage of LVC Athletics.