ELON, N.C. – Elon's Garrett Koster and Alex Swim combined to go 4-for-8 with 5 RBI as the Phoenix scored at least a single run in all but two innings and as they led wire-to-wire on their way to defeating UNCG, 10-2, in Southern Conference action on Saturday night at Latham Park in Elon, N.C.
Elon (25-20, 15-8 SoCon) secured its 11th consecutive home series victory in Southern Conference action with its win over UNCG on Saturday night. The Phoenix scored in every inning except the fourth and eighth.
UNCG (21-20, 6-14 SoCon) was only able to muster five hits after exploding for 29 in the last two games. Zach Leach hit an RBI single in fifth inning to extend his hitting streak to 17 games.
Elon started the scoring early and often as it jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one inning of competition. Sebastian Gomez hit an RBI double to left center to give the Phoenix a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Tyler McVicar plated Gomez with a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to two, 2-0.
For the second time in as many games, Garrett Koster connected on a no-doubt home run with UNCG starter Dylan Hathcock falling victim to the blast. Koster's home run pushed the Phoenix lead to four, 4-0, after two innings of play.
The Spartans were able to produce a run in the top half of the third inning to cut the deficit to 4-1. Cole Harrison and Bobby Martin hit back-to-back singles and both advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Leach. With runners on second and third, Lloyd Enzor collected an RBI as Harrison scored on a sacrifice fly.
Elon's offense continued to apply pressure as it saw Chris Bresnahan gather an RBI after a fielders' choice scored McVicar.
UNCG scored an unearned run in the fifth inning after Leach delivered an RBI single to left to make it a 5-2 game.
Elon would score single runs (both unearned) in the fifth and sixth inning to make it a 7-2 game. In the fifth, Bresnahan collected his second RBI of the game via sacrifice fly. In the bottom half of the sixth inning, Swim would tap home plate following an UNCG error.
Elon's Swim would continue to torment the Spartans pitching staff as he delivered the knockout blow in the bottom of the seventh as he ripped a bases-clearing three-run double down the left field line to make it an eight run game, 10-2.
UNCG was held hitless over the last four innings of play.
The Phoenix's Dylan Clark (8-3) shined as he went seven strong innings and allowed two runs (one earned) while scattering five hits and striking out four on 109 pitches.
Hathcock (3-4) never found a groove as he lasted only two innings and allowed four runs (all earned) on six hits as he took the loss for UNCG.
The Spartans Martin went 1-for-3 for UNCG and Thomas Troelstrup went 1-for-4 as both players extended their hitting streaks to eight games.
Elon's Koster, Swim, Gomez and Blaine Bower enjoyed multi-hit games as the quartet collected two hits apiece. The Phoenix tied a season-high in stolen bases with five.
UNCG will look to avoid the sweep on Sunday with first pitch being scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Latham Park in Elon, N.C.
AGATE
Elon 10, UNCG 2 (Apr 28, 2012 at Elon, N.C.)
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UNCG................ 001 010 000 - 2 5 1 (21-20, 6-14)
Elon................ 221 011 30X - 10 10 1 (25-20, 15-8)
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Pitchers: UNCG - Dylan Hathcock; Adam Boghosian(3); Wes McBride(6); Eric Kalbfleisch(8) and
Cambric Moye. Elon - Dylan Clark; David Whitehead(8) and Alex Swim; Michael Elefante.
Win-Dylan Clark(8-3) Loss-Dylan Hathcock(3-4) T-2:46 A-389
HR ELON - Garrett Koster.
Weather: 57 degrees and cloudy
- UNCG -
