ELON, N.C. – The Elon University baseball program earned its first series win of the season as the maroon and gold defeated Lafayette 8-0 Saturday afternoon, Feb. 16, at Latham Park.
George Kirby (1-0) picked up the win after tossing 6.2 innings with 10 strikeouts and two hits allowed. Elon (2-0) was able to get multiple relievers into the game as Brandon Justice, Kyle Greenler, and Joe Sprake all made an appearance. Ty Adcock also pitched the final two outs to close the game.
At the plate, Adam Spurlin and Tyler Cranston both turned in multi-hit efforts, each going 2-for-4. Spurlin scored twice and hit a double while Cranston tripled, added a run, and drove in another. Adcock and Matt Oldham both homered, with the pair finishing 1-for-3. Adcock touched home the one time, brought in two runs, and walked twice. Oldham picked up a run with one RBI and earned a free trip to first. Tyler Stanleyalso had a big day with a 1-for-3 effort on offense. The Shallotte, N.C. tripled and tallied two runs with an RBI and a walk.
The Leopards (0-2) were held to just three hits. Trey Durrah and Justin Johnson both hit 1-for-3 and Richard Villa finished 1-for-4. Mark Anderson (0-1) allowed one run on three hits and two walks to take the loss.
How It Happened: After two-and-a-half innings of scoreless ball, Elon posted its first run as Stanley led off with a triple to right center. He then tagged up on an Anthony Galason sacrifice fly to right for the early 1-0 lead.
Elon pulled away in the bottom half of the sixth. After a Cam Devanney leadoff single, Adcock drove a 1-1 pitch to just right of the batter’s eye for a two-run blast. Spurlin then reached on a hit to the gap in right and proceeded to steal second. The junior from Ty Ty, Ga. then came around on Cranston’s triple to left center to make it a 4-0 game. Multiple walks and a throwing error by the Leopard catcher extended the lead to 6-0.
Oldham started off the bottom of the seventh with a solo shot to right. Spurlin followed with a double left and Cranston found a hole in the left side of the defense for the final score.
Notes: The two home runs are the first of the season for the Phoenix…It was the fifth time in his career that Kirby recorded double-digit strikeouts. The right-hander reached double-digits four times in 2018…Elon outhit Lafayette 11-3 and did not commit an error…It marks the first time since 2017 the maroon and gold have won their first series of the season. The team took 2-of-3 against Longwood that year.
On Deck: Elon and Lafayette conclude the weekend series tomorrow, Feb. 16. The game, originally scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. start, has been moved up to noon.