ELON, NC UNC Greensboro hit two three-run home runs, but it wasn't enough as the Spartans fell to Elon, 15-9, on Sunday afternoon at Latham Park.
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Elon reliever Ryan Adams pitched three innings of one-hit ball to record the win for the Phoenix (17-10, 11-4 SoCon) and Matt Melillo went 2-2 with two home runs and four runs scored to lead them at the plate.
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UNCG starter Greg Smith lasted just one-plus innings and allowed seven runs to pick up the loss for the Spartans (8-17, 0-10 SoCon).
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For the first time this weekend, Elon was the first team to score after hitting a home run in the bottom of the first. After a lead off strike out, Cory Harrilchak hit a double to center field. Chase Austin followed with his fourth home run of the season over the left field wall to put the Phoenix ahead, 2-0.
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The Spartans responded in the top of the second and nearly tied the game at 2. Ed Jayjack led off the inning with a walk and moved to third on a double to right field by Trevor Edwards. Jayjack scored and Edwards moved to third on a ground out to the first baseman to make the score 2-1. With two outs, Ferrer threw a wild pitch and it appeared Edwards had scored from third, but Eric Temple was called for batter's interference to end the inning.
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The Phoenix followed with five runs in the bottom of the second to extend their lead to 7-1. Matt Melillo led off the inning with a home run to right field. Cory Harrilchak would later hit a two-run double down the right field line to put the Phoenix up by six.
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The Spartans would score two in the top half of the third to narrow the Phoenix lead to 7-3. Eric Temple and Alex Frederick had back-to-back walks to lead off the inning and Michael Wall loaded the bases on a single to center field. After a pop up to the infield, Pedro Leon walked to score Temple from third. Jayjack followed with a sacrifice fly to score Frederick and make the score 7-3.
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Elon scored four more in the third inning after hitting three doubles in the inning to go ahead 11-3.
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UNCG narrowed the Phoenix lead to 11-6 in the top of the fourth inning on a Michael Wall home run. Ray Quinones led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a Kris Richards walk. Two batters later, Wall took a 3-2 pitch over the right field wall for his first career home run.
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The Phoenix added one more in the bottom of the fourth to make the score 12-3 thanks to Melillo's second home run of the game
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Elon scored another run in the fifth and two more in the sixth inning to extend their lead to 15-6.
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Neither team was able to score again until Jayjack hit a three-run home run in the top of the ninth. Corey Overholtzer singled up the middle to lead off the inning and Leon followed with a single to left field. Jayjack then came up and hit a towering shot over the right field wall to make the final score 15-9.
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The Spartans return to the diamond on Wednesday as they host Duke. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.
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AGATE
Elon 15, UNC Greensboro 9
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UNC Greensboro...... 012 300 003 -Â 9Â 10Â 0Â (8-17)
Elon.......................... 254 112 00X - 15 15 0Â (17-10)
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro Greg Smith, Rob Gilliam, Zach Furl, Warren Slack. Elon Ken Ferrer, Ryan Adams, Greg Amorosso, Daniel LoCastro.
Win- Ryan Adams (2-0) Loss- Greg Smith (2-4)Â T-3:01Â A-403
HR UNC Greensboro: Michael Wall (1) Ed Jayjack (3); Elon Mike Melillo 2 (8), Chase Austin (4)
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- UNCG -