Andy Farrell brings both local and big conference experience to Longwood.

A move that has been in the works for weeks is now all but official as multiple sources have confirmed that Andy Farrell is set to join Jayson Gee’s staff. The move is expected to be announced within the next week or so. Farrell most recently was the Director of Basketball Operations at DePaul.

Farrell has been with the Big East school for three years under Oliver Purnell and also was with him at Clemson for a couple of years. Farrell spent time working with Dayton’s basketball team as an undergraduate and was an graduate assistant at VCU under Anthony Grant. He has strong ties to coach Gee’s prior recruiting footprint, Ohio, and Longwood’s current local footprint.

Farrell is also one of the founders of the Rising Coaches Elite program that provides a support structure for those pursuing a career in coaching.

At least two assistant coaching spots and the Director of Baketball Operations remains. Many names have been rumored and the full staff should be assembled in the near future.

Coach Bolding will ride off into the sunset after 35 years of coaching Longwood baseball.

Longwood’s baseball season and the Buddy Bolding era officially came to a close today with a 8-6 loss to the number one seeded Campbell Camels in the Big South semifinals today. The Lancers end the year with a 26-28 record and a 14-14 mark in their first year of Big South Conference play. The tournament run and season in general was quite an accomplishment for long time coach Buddy Bolding and the Lancers after the Big South preseason poll overwhelmingly predicted LU to finish last in the conference.

Campbell jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the second inning today, but the Lancers continued to battle back. Longwood cut the lead to one in the 5th inning, but the Camels were able to get a little insurance with a three run seventh inning that sealed the deal.

Matt Dickason lead the team at the plate with a hit and two RBI, while Connor Gall added two hits and two runs. Joe Manion steadied the ship after  a rough start for Tyler Wislocki. Manion went four and one-third innings and only gave up one hit and two runs.

Campbell now moves on to the Big South championship where they will play either Coastal Carolina or host Liberty on Saturday.

Buddy Bolding will now ride off into the sunset after 35 years at the helm for the Lancers. His successor has not been named but Bolding has let it be known that he would like to see current pitching coach and Lancer alum Brian McCullough take over the program. Best of luck to coach Bolding and a big thank you for everything he has done for the program and the university!

Could Delaware State take VMI’s place in the Big South?

It was only a matter of time before conference realignment would hit the Big South home-front. That happened yesterday when it was leaked the VMI will be leaving the Big South to return to their traditional roots of the Southern Conference. The VMI move became expected and likely when Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Charleston, Elon, and Davidson all bolted the SoCon. Liberty is still desperately trying to find a home in a FBS conference (the Sun Belt announced today they will stay at 11 members), Coastal Carolina has wandering eyes, and Asheville has been reported to be a potential target for the Southern Conference. With all of this going on the Big South has remained relatively quiet while their football conference and automatic bid into the FCS playoffs teeters dangerously on the brink of the destruction.

The Big South did add Monmouth to the mix as a football member earlier this year, but this can only be seen as a temporary fix and a likely stepping stone for the New Jersey school. Now rumors continue to heat regarding the Big South and Delaware State. Currently only one of the nation’s Division I historically black colleges and universities plays outside an a HBCU conference (Tennessee State/OVC), but Delaware State, Hampton, and others seem open to possibly testing the waters. Hampton would prefer a conference at the level of the Colonial Athletic Association, but it seems as if the Big South and Delaware State may have more traction according to sources.

Delaware State is located in Dover and their football team has won four conference titles over the years. On the basketball court, the Hornets won the 2005 MEAC title and appeared in the NCAA Tournament. They also appeared in the NIT in 2006 and 2007.

Adding Delaware State or exploring schools possibly transitioning from Division II to Division I is likely a last ditch effort to save football for Kyle Kallander’s conference. Does it strengthen the overall profile of the conference? No. Can it save football? Maybe.

The game was a bit back and forth until Longwood blew it open in the fourth inning scoring seven runs to go up 10-2. Leadoff hitter Colton Konvicka had a big day going five for six with four runs and two RBI. Matt Dickason added four hits and four RBI for the Lancers and Scott Burkett also homered.

Most importantly, the Lancers did not deplete their pitching staff in this tournament format. After a shaky start  Brandon Vick (6-5) steadied the ship to pitch a complete game while striking out six Panthers.

Longwood’s season will continue Thursday at 3PM when they will take on the sixth seed Gardner-Webb. LU swept the Bulldogs last month in Farmville.

Keydets basketball coach Duggar Baucom “leaked” the news via the Roanoke Times:

“The Southern Conference did visit [the school] two weeks ago on a Wednesday [May 8] and all indications are that we’re going to go back to the Southern Conference,” Baucom continued. “It will be formally announced, I think, May 30th or 31st at the Southern Conference meeting.”

East Tennessee State and Mercer of the Atlantic Sun Conference are also expected to join the Southern Conference.

Tim Jones is a winning point guard who can contribute at LU.

Via twitter Henrico’s Timmy Jones is expected to join Coach Gee’s squad. Jones is expected to be a preferred walk-on for the Lancers, but his full status is a bit up in the air.

The 5’10 point guard was named the Virginia State AAA Player of the Year this past year for his role leading the Henrico Warriors to a state championship.

Jones averaged 15 points per game for the Warriors this year and orchestrated one of the most up-tempo offenses in the state for the past two years. He has started the last two years for coach Vance Harmon and is a four year member and captain of the team.

He is an up-tempo, defensive guard who can help to add some minutes of pressure of Coach Gee’s defense.

Italics = Offered

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Lancers pitcher Brandon Vick was named to the All-Academic Team.

All-Conference First Team
OF: Rob Dickinson, VMI
OF: Bobby Ison, Charleston Southern
OF: Ben McQuown, Campbell
1B: Spencer Angelis, High Point
2B: Michael Felton, Campbell
3B: Elijah Trail, Campbell (tie)
3B: Alex Owens, Longwood (tie)
SS: Jeff Kemp, Radford
C: Trey Wimmer, Liberty
DH: Zack Hagaman, Charleston Southern
SP: Ryan Mattes, Campbell
SP: Ben Smith, Coastal Carolina
SP: Matt Fraudin, Gardner-Webb
RP: Ryan Thompson, Campbell

All-Conference Second Team
OF: Jacob May, Coastal Carolina
OF: Ryan Retz, High Point
OF: Clayton Brown, Campbell
1B: Brad Zebedis, Presbyterian
2B: Bryan Aanderud, Liberty
3B: Chad Smith, Winthrop
SS: Brent Graham, Campbell
C: Will Remillard, Coastal Carolina (tie)
C: Matt Winn, VMI (tie)
DH: David Olson, Campbell
SP: Jacob Newberry, High Point
SP: Heath Bowers, Campbell
SP: Tory Schroff, Charleston Southern
RP: Ryan Connolly, Coastal Carolina

Conference All-Academic Team
David Olson, Campbell
Alex Tomasovich, Charleston Southern
Justin Creel, Coastal Carolina
Andrew Barnett, Gardner-Webb
Will Resnik, High Point
Trey Lambert, Liberty
Brandon Vick, Longwood
Brad Zebedis, Presbyterian
Tyler Costello, Radford
Dillon Tabar, UNC Asheville
Drew Bryan, VMI
Max Vogel, Winthrop

Player of the Year
Rob Dickinson, VMI

Pitcher of the Year
Ryan Thompson, Campbell

Freshman of the Year
Seth Lamando, Coastal Carolina

Co-Scholar-Athletes of the Year
Justin Creel, Coastal Carolina
Brad Zebedis, Presbyterian College

Coach of the Year
Greg Goff, Campbell

Longwood has drawn perennial Big South power Coastal Carolina for their first tournament game on Tuesday at 9:30 am. The Chanticleers are seeded second in the tournament after a 35-19 season and a 18-6 finish in conference. Coastal has won 14 Big South titles including the last six championships. Longwood did not play the Chanticleers this year due to the RPI based schedule. The Lancers and Chants have never played against each other.

Campbell grabbed the one seed for this double-elimination tournament. Here is the complete schedule for all the games in Lynchburg:

Tuesday, May 21
Game 1: #2 Coastal Carolina vs. #7 Longwood, 9:30am 
Game 2: #3 High Point vs. #6 Gardner-Webb, 45 minutes after conclusion of Game 1
Game 3: #1 Campbell vs. #8 Charleston Southern, 4:30pm
Game 4: #4 Radford vs. #5 Liberty, 45 minutes after conclusion of Game 3

Wednesday, May 22
Game 5: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 9:30am
Game 6: Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 45 minutes after conclusion of Game 5
Game 7: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4:30pm
Game 8: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 45 minutes after conclusion of Game 7

Thursday, May 23
Game 9: Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 7, 3:00pm
Game 10: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 8, 45 minutes after conclusion of Game 9 |

Friday, May 24
Game 11: Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 9, 10:00am
Game 12: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 10, 45 minutes after conclusion of Game 11
Game 13: if necessary, 5:00pm
Game 14: if necessary, 45 minutes after conclusion of Game 13

Saturday, May 25 – Championship Game
TBA vs. TBA, 4:00pm (TV: ESPN3)

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Illini’s Ibby Djimde just finished visiting Longwood – looks like that’s where he’ll head..

— t (@xb7) May 11, 2013

Djimde would have two year of eligibility left and would most likely not be able to play until the 2014-15 season.

May 19:

The Illinois Herald-Review has confirmed Djimde’s interest in Longwood:

Illinois has already seen three players transfer since the conclusion of the recent season. Mike Shaw will land at Bradley. Devin Langford will attend Division II Kentucky Wesleyan. Ibby Djimde could be headed to Longwood in Farmville, Va. And we’re still waiting to hear whether Myke Henry will follow them to another school.

Team Previews:

Tennessee Volunteers (44-10)
RPI: 9
Best Pitchers: Ivy Renfroe- 17-4, 1.91 ERA, 125 SO;  Ellen Renfroe- 16-4, 1.93 ERA, 161 SO
Best Hitters: Raven Chavanne- .471 avg, 7 HR, 31 RBI; Lauren Gibson- .429, 18 HR, 66 RBI
Breakdown: It’s all about the Renfroe family Ivy, Ellen, and Anna for the Volunteers. Ivy and Ellen pack one of the best 1-2 punches in the circle in the country. While they can shut down opposing offenses, the Volunteers also have two primetime threats in the batters box with Raven Chavanne and Lauren Gibson. Both players are finalists for the 2013 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.  In a stacked SEC the Volunteers had the conference Player of the Year (Gibson),  four first teamers (Gibson, Chavanne, Madison Shipman, Kat Dotson), and four named to the all defensive team. In a hard hitting Regional defense may be the key and the Vols have it.

James Madison Dukes (41-15)
RPI: 35
Best Pitchers: Jailyn Ford- 23-5, 1.66 ERA, 199 SO; Heather Kiefer- 14-7, 1.40 ERA, 61 SO
Best Hitters: Sarah Mooney- .413 avg, 17 HR, 67 RBI; Jailyn Ford- .375 avg, 14 HR, 45 RBI
Breakdown: James Madison became the first team ever from the Colonial Athletic Association to grab an at-large bid after falling to Hofstra in a 2-1 pitchers duel last weekend. The Dukes have a bona fide ace in CAA Freshman Player of the Year Jailyn Ford, who also packs a punch in the batters box with 14 home runs and 45 RBI.  They also have CAA Player of the Year in sophomore Sarah Mooney, who gave pitchers fits this year. JMU has is a little less of a power team compared to the rest of the region, but the Dukes are for real and can possibly quiet some bats in Knoxville. Ford versus NC State’s power will be a fun watch on Friday.

North Carolina State Wolfpack (33-18-1)
RPI: 40
Best Pitcher: Emily Weiman- 31-16, 1.92 ERA, 259 SO
Best Hitters: Renada Davis- .318 avg, 26 HR, 50 RBI; Hanna Sommer- .303 avg, 10 HR, 28 RBI; Caitlin Dent- .303 avg, 14 HR, 48 RBI; Kristy Grant- .301 avg, 6 HR, 20 RBI
Breakdown: The ACC Champions are all about the long ball and are likely the toughest batting lineup in Knoxville. The Wolfpack has combined for 86 home runs this year lead by Renada Davis, Caitlin Dent, and Scout Albertson. The Pack’s one weakness may be pitching depth. ACC Pitcher of the Year Emily Weiman has been phenomenal, but she’s basically the lone arm for NC State appearing in 50 of the Wolfpack’s 52 games.

Longwood Lancers (41-18)
RPI: 75
Best Pitcher: Libby Morris- 21-8, 2.90 ERA, 90 SO
Best Hitters: Brooke Short- .430 avg, 18 HR, 69 RBI; Megan Batlzell- .420 avg, 30 HR, 78 RBI; Emily Murphy- .310, 14 HR, 68 RBI; Kori Nishitomi- .446 avg, 18 2B, 27 RBI
Breakdown: The Lancers will be making their first appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament after winning the Big South Conference in their first year as a member. Meghan Baltzell leads the country in home runs with 30 and Big South Player of the Year Brooke Short will give opposing pitchers trouble at the plate in Knoxville. Longwood doesn’t have the arms to match the other three teams in the tournament, but Libby Morris has shown that she can be a workhorse and thrive under pressure situations. With their power, Longwood can make some noise if they take care of business in the field.

Schedule:

Friday, May 17
Game 1: James Madison vs. NC State, 3:30 p.m.
Game 2: Longwood vs. No. 7 Tennesse*, 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 18
Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 1:30 p.m.
Game 4: Game 1 loser Game 2 loser, 4 p.m.
Game 5: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 19
Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 1 p.m.
Game 7: Game 6 winner vs. Game 6 loser, 3:30 p.m. (if necessary)

Ticket Information (via UTSports)
All-Session Tickets for the NCAA Regional games hosted by Tennessee Friday, May 17 – Sunday, May 19 are CURRENTLY SOLD OUT. If seats are released after the season ticket holder and participating team order deadlines, All-Session packages will go on sale at 8:30 am Thursday, May 16. Single session tickets, if available, will be go on sale at Lee Stadium ticket windows Friday, May 17, when gates open at 2:30 pm. Gates open one (1) hour prior to first game. For the most up-to-date information about game times and inclement weather, call the SOFTBALL INFORMATION LINE at 865-946-4444 or follow @LadyVol_Sftball on Twitter.

Parking Information (via UTSports)
Parking is available adjacent to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, which is located just off Neyland Drive. For complete directions, click here.