WILMINGTON, N.C. - Coker College junior right-handed pitcher Matt Long (Florence, S.C.) made his Coastal Plain League debut on Monday night as the starting pitcher for the Florence RedWolves against the Wilimington Sharks. The RedWolves lost the game 2-0.

A late signee for the RedWolves, Long got a tough assignment in his debut appearance, having to take on fellow Conference Carolinas rival, Atlee Pearson of Erskine College. Pearson carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning, before surrendering two hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in 8.1 innings of work.

Long (0-1) took the loss, receiving no offensive support, but allowed just two runs on four hits in 5.2 innings on the mound for Florence.

Long has signed to play with the RedWolves as just a conditional player for now, meaning he will most likely just fill in until the NCAA Division I Regional, Super Regional and World Series Tournaments are completed later this month. However, should Long continue to perform well for the RedWolves he could be signed as a full player and stay the entire season, which lasts until the first of August.

Long had an outstanding season for the Cobras, going 10-5 on the mound with a 5.50 ERA in 70.1 innings of work. This was good enough to earn him Second Team All-Conference honors and he ranked in the top 15 in the nation in wins with 10.