Stalzer Pitches Elon Men’s Baseball Phoenix to Sweep of Wagner

ELON, N.C. — Thanks to seven shutout innings from Jake Stalzer, the Elon baseball squad completed a three-game sweep of visiting Wagner by claiming a 7-3 victory over the Seahawks on Sunday afternoon at Latham Park.

Stalzer (2-0) has started his career in the maroon and gold by not allowing an earned run in his first 14.0 innings of work. On Sunday, he allowed just three hits – one to the leadoff hitter and none until there were two outs in the seventh inning. He issued three walks and struck out three while facing just 26 hitters.

“We’ve been fortunate with those three guys (Stalzer, Lucas Bakker and Michael Elefante) who threw well all weekend,” said Elon head coach Mike Kennedy. “It’s pretty important to do that and get some confidence. Now what happens, is guys feel like we’re going to be in the game and it relaxes us a little bit offensively. It all ties hand-in-hand. It got tight all of a sudden. It was pretty nice to see us respond and go throw three more on there.”

The Phoenix (5-1) offense did its part by getting out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Tyler McVicar got things started with a double down the left field line and would later score on an Andy Moore double. Elon’s lead reached 4-0 in the fourth with the assistance of two Wagner (0-3) errors. A Moore single was followed by a walk before Quinn Bower put down a bunt for a single. The throw to first was wild and two runs scored and Bower found himself on third. He later came in on a sacrifice fly.

With Elon still holding a 4-0 edge into the eight, Wagner took advantage of three consecutive walks by Phoenix relievers to load the bases to start the inning. Nick Dini got the Seahawks on the board with a single through the right side before a passed ball let a second run score. Wagner pulled within one, 4-3, on a Shaun Flynn RBI ground out.

Elon came right back with a three-spot in the last of the eighth to secure the victory. With runners on second and third, Sebastian Gomez picked up his second RBI of the game with a ground out. Casey Jones then doubled home a run and Ryan Cooper singled home the final marker.

Ryan Pennell gave up one run on one hit to earn the save for the Phoenix.

The loss went to Paul Mammino (0-1) who surrendered three runs (two earned) on five hits in three innings.

Elon will complete its five-game swing at home by hosting UNC Wilmington on Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. It is Pack Latham Park Day and all tickets are just $1.