RALEIGH, N.C. – It was a rough night for the Elon baseball team as the Phoenix was defeated by a 14-0 score at North Carolina State on Tuesday, March 24.
Elon (11-12) had not been shut out in its previous 77 games dating back to a 2-0 defeat at #6 Virginia in the 2013 NCAA Regional.
NC State (13-9) scored five runs in the last of the second, including a grand slam from Joel McKeithan. The Wolfpack added three more in the third, four in the fourth and two in the sixth to complete its scoring.
Elon’s best scoring chance came in the sixth when it loaded the bases with one out. Unfortunately for the maroon and gold, a double play grounder eliminated the Phoenix threat. Elon would put its first two aboard in the ninth before a strike out, fly out and ground ball ended the game.
Andy Moore (1-for-3) ran his hitting streak to a season-high five games, while Ryan Cooper (2-for-4) had Elon’s lone multi-hit game. He now has had multiple hits in seven games this season.
Jake Stalzer (1-4) took the loss after being charged with 11 runs (10 earned) on eight hits in 3.2 innings. He struck out four.
The win went to Ryan Williamson (1-1) who tossed three scoreless innings for NC State.
Elon will return to CAA play this weekend as the Phoenix travels to William & Mary for a three-game series. Friday’s first pitch in Williamsburg, Va., is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game can be heard live on WSML 104.5 FM / 1200 AM and at elonphoenix.com.