ELON, NC Elon starter Zach Booker gave up just two runs on seven hits in 5-1/3 innings of work as the Phoenix defeated UNC Greensboro, 9-2, in game three of a Southern Conference three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Latham Park.
Booker (4-3) struck out a game-high four batters, while Elon used three relievers to put together 3-2/3 scoreless and hitless innings to secure the win.
Starter Nick Starnes (3-3) took the loss after allowing six runs on five hits in 3-1/3 innings on the hill. Brandon Harvey and Alex Shelton pitched 4-2/3 scoreless innings of relief for UNCG.
Elon (26-21, 13-8 SoCon) took the 1-0 lead in the second on a solo home run to left-center by Mike Melillo. UNCG got on the board in the visitor half of the third on a RBI fielder's choice by Guy Welsh. The Spartans opened the inning with back-to-back singles from Tim Carrier and Matt Gaski and Welsh's hit allowed Carrier to come home for the run.
After scoring on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the third, Elon pushed across seven runs in the fourth to take the commanding 9-1 lead. Chris Vasami started the scoring with a lead off with a homer to left-center. Drew Davis plated two runs on his second hit of the day and was brought home on a two-bagger by Chase Austin. Jordy Snyder capped off the inning with a three-run roundtripper over the leftfield fence, giving the
Phoenix the eight-run advantage.
UNCG (23-21, 9-9 SoCon) added a run in the fifth off a RBI single to right by Sean Snell but the Spartans were unable to close the gap any more, leaving the score 9-2 in favor of Elon.
Carrier was the lone Spartan to record multiple hits, going 2-for-4 on the day. Welsh and Snell each finished with a RBI.
The Spartans return to the diamond when they take on the ACC's Wake Forest on Wednesday at UNCG Baseball Stadium beginning at 6 pm.
AGATE
Score by Innings R H E
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UNC Greensboro...... 001 010 000 - 2 7 2
Elon......................... 011 700 00X - 9 9 1
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Pitchers: UNCG Starnes; McCall (4); Harvey (4); Shelton (7)
Pitchers: Elon Booker; Porter (6)
Win Zach Booker (4-3) Loss Nick Starnes (3-3)
- UNCG -
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