Elon Men’s Baseball Phoenix Outduels Seahawks for 3-2 Victory

ELON, N.C. — Three freshmen Elon pitchers kept the UNC Wilmington Seahawks at bay and a senior came in to slam the door as the Phoenix scored one run in the last of the eighth to claim a 3-2 victory over their future CAA rival.

Elon won its fourth straight to improve to 6-1. UNCW fell to 4-4.

With the game even at two in the bottom of the eighth inning, Sebastian Gomez drew a leadoff walk and headed to second on a sacrifice bunt. Phoenix skipper Mike Kennedy then turned to his bench for pinch-hitter Wil Leathers who promptly lined a 1-0 pitch to left. Gomez raced around third and the throw to the plate was perfect, but Gomez was able to get his hand under the tag to score the winning run.

“We had some chances early to get some room, but we kind of came up empty,” said Kennedy. “Wil got up in a big situation and he timed one up and got a big hit for us.”

Freshman Matt Harris got the start for the maroon and gold and allowed just five hits and two runs while fanning eight Seahawk hitters in five innings. He was replaced by freshman Graham Edwards (1-0) who picked up the victory with three scoreless frames. A third freshman, Dimitri Lettas came on the start the ninth and retired the one hitter he faced before giving way to senior Ryan Pennell. Pennell claimed his second save of the year by striking out both batters he faced.

Added Kennedy, “I thought he (Harris) competed. He had a couple chances where they could have got to him and he didn’t let it happen. He made some quality pitches.”

Elon was the first to get on the board and scored single runs in the first and second. In the first, Danny Lynch plated one with a ground out. The second tally came on Quinn Bower’s infield single.

UNCW battled back with two in the third to tie it. Drew Farber led off with a single and the Seahawks would eventually load the bases with nobody out. Robbie Thorburn would drive home two with a double to right before Harris struck out the next three hitters to snuff out the rally.

The loss went to Kelly Secrest (1-1). He was charged with one run on one hit in one inning of work.

Elon is back in action on Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. at North Carolina A&T.