Elon Baseball Phoenix Drops Series Opener to Bryant

ELON, N.C. – Elon University baseball took an early 2-0 lead, but could not overcome a six-run top of the fourth as Bryant earned a 6-4 decision Saturday, March 9 at Latham Park. The Phoenix falls to 8-5 with the loss, while the Bulldogs move to 5-5.
BOX SCORE | FINAL RESULTS

Starter Kyle Brnovich (1-1) pitched 7.0 complete innings and struck out 12 of the 32 batters he faced. The junior was tagged for six runs on as many hits and walks. Brandon Justice tossed 2.0 innings of relief and didn’t allow a runner to reach. Against six batters, he sat down four.

Garrett Stonehouse led the maroon and gold at the plate with a 2-for-3 effort on the day. The Westport, Conn. native doubled, scored once, drove in two runs, and walked twice. Anthony Galason hit 2-for-4 and came around while Adam Spurlin also posted a 2-for-4 effort with an RBI.

How It Happened:
Elon opened the scoring in the bottom half of the first inning. After Stonehouse walked and Joe Satterfield singled to right center, Ty Adcock singled to left for the home team’s first tally. With runners now on the corners, Cam Devanney flew out to center allowing Stonehouse to tag up from third.

Bryant responded with a six-run swing in the top half of the fourth. The Black and Gold started with a leadoff single through the left side of the Phoenix defense. A walk put runners on first and second and a passed ball moved the pair into scoring position. With nowhere to put the next batter, Brnovich walked in two runs as Bryant pulled even at 2-2. Shane Kelly then took the first pitch he saw over the left-field fence for a grand slam and the 6-2 lead.

The Phoenix got back two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Spurlin singled to the gap in right and took second base on a passed ball. A Jack Roberts single to left moved the junior transfer up to third. With one out, Stonehouse brought both runners in with a double to left center. Elon couldn’t get anything going the rest of the way, though, and Bryant held on to take the first game in the series.

Notes: Both Phoenix pitchers set season highs in strikeouts…Brnovich and Justice combined for 16 strikeouts. It marks the most combined strikeouts in a game by Phoenix pitchers this season…Tyler Stanley stole second in the bottom of the second. The Shallotte, N.C. native is now 12-for-12 on the season…Galason reached safely for the 11th consecutive game.

On Deck: The teams wrap up the weekend series tomorrow, March 10, with a doubleheader beginning at noon.