Davidson Spoils Senior Day for Elon Baseball

ELON, N.C. — After honoring its five senior members before the game, the Elon baseball team fell short in earning a series victory against Davidson as the Wildcats handed the Phoenix a 7-5 setback on Sunday afternoon at Latham Park.

The loss dropped Elon to 26-21 overall and 12-12 in Southern Conference play, while Davidson improved to 27-14, 17-5.

Davidson jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first as Forrest Brandt doubled home a run and a Phoenix throwing error allowed another marker to score. Elon came back with a single run in the last of the first when Casey Jones tripled home Sebastian Gomez.

The Wildcats added single runs in the third, fourth and fifth before plating two in the top of the sixth to move on top, 7-1. In that inning, Davidson scored on an Andrew Pope sacrifice fly and a Ryan Lowe single.

Jones started the Phoenix sixth with a walk and went to second on a Tyler McVicar single. After a walk loaded the bases, Ryan Cooper lifted a sac fly to right to plate Jones. A two-out, pinch-hit double by Chris King drove home two for Elon and the maroon and gold cut its deficit to 7-4.

The score remained 7-4 until the last of the ninth when King led off the inning by connecting on his sixth homer of the year. Wil Leathers followed with a walk, but the Wildcats did not let the Phoenix any closer as the next two hitters popped out and the third struck out.

Elon starter Jake Stalzer (5-4) took the loss. He was charged with all seven Davidson runs, five of which were earned, in five innings. Led by Ryan Pennell’s three shutout innings, the Phoenix bullpen did not allow a run in four frames.

Nick Neitzel (7-0) got the win after giving up two runs on four hits in five innings. Michael Goldberg allowed one run and a walk, but picked up his seventh save of the year.

Elon will wrap up the home portion of its 2014 season on Wednesday night as the Phoenix hosts North Carolina in a 6:30 p.m. contest.

              1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
   Davidson   2 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 7 9 1
   Elon       1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 5 8 3

Win – Neitzel (7-0). Loss – Stalzer (5-4). Save – Goldberg (7).

Umpires – HP: Mike Parnell 1B: Tyler Simpson 3B: Gary Swanson
Start: 1:00 pm Time: 2:38 Attendance: 311
Weather: Sunny, 79 deg., Winds: W 11