ELON, NC In a game highlighted by pitching and defense, UNC Greensboro narrowly fell to Elon, 2-1, on Friday night at Latham Park.
Elon starter Jimmy Reyes pitched a career-high eight innings for the Phoenix (15-10) and also had a career-high 11 strike outs.
Greg Martin took the hard-luck loss for the Spartans (8-15) after allowing just two runs on four hits in seven innings of work.
The Spartans got on the board first in the top of the third inning on a Corey Overholtzer home run. With two down in the inning, Overholtzer fell behind 0-2, but battled back and took the 10th pitch of the at-bat over the right field wall for his first home run of the season.
The Phoenix immediately responded in the bottom half of the third to take a 2-1 lead. With one out, Dallas Tarleton walked before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Tarleton advanced to third on a ground out before scoring on a Chase Austin double down the left field line. Cory Harrilchak followed with a single up the middle to score Austin and give the Phoenix a 2-1 lead.
It appeared that the Spartans were going to come back in the top of the fourth to tie the game, but Harrilchak made a spectacular play in center field for the Phoenix. After Ed Jayjack led off the inning with a single, Trevor Edwards hit what appeared was going to be a RBI double, but Harrilchak made a diving catch in the gap and doubled Jayjack off of first.
Overholtzer matched Harrilchak's catch with a phenomenal play of his own in the gap in right center. With a runner on first, Harrilchak hit a fly ball to the gap in deep right center, but Overholtzer made a leaping grab into the wall to record the out.
Neither team was able to muster anymore offensive production in the final three inning, as the Phoenix held on for the 2-1 win.
The Spartans and the Phoenix will meet again on Saturday for the second game of the series. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. at Latham Park.
AGATE
Elon 2, UNC Greensboro 1
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UNC Greensboro...... 001 000 000 - 1 5 1 (8-15)
Elon........................ 002 000 000 - 2 5 1 (14-10)
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro Greg Martin, Rob Gilliam. Elon Jimmy Reyes, Thomas Girdwood.
Win- Jimmy Reyes (4-0) Save Thomas Girdwood (6) Loss- Greg Martin (1-5) T-2:15 A-542
- UNCG -
