ELON, N.C. – Behind eight strong innings from Robbie Welhaf, the Elon University baseball team threw its second shutout of the season as the Phoenix defeated the UMass Minutemen 3-0 at Latham Park on Saturday afternoon.
Box Score | Play-by-Play
Welhaf (2-1), who threw a no-hitter in a 7-0 win over Longwood in his first start of the year, blanked the Minutemen over 8.0 innings on Saturday. He matched a personal best with eight strikeouts and scattered five hits. Reliever Sean Byrnes struck out one as he threw the ninth inning to earn his first save of the year.
UMass freshman Brooks Knapek took the loss after giving up two runs on four hits in 6.0 innings. The rookie struck out 10.
At the plate, Elon was led by Joe Satterfield who went 3-for-4 and hit the first home run of his career. Hayden Platt scored once and drove in one with a double during a 1-for-2 performance.
Two of the six UMass hits came from Brett Evangelista as he ended the day 2-for-4.
How It Happened: For the second straight day, Elon got its scoring started with a first-inning homer. On Saturday it was Satterfield who connected on a 1-1 pitch and lifted it over the wall down the left field line to give the Phoenix a 1-0 advantage.
After Liam O’Regan walked to lead off the bottom of the third, Platt grounded his double inside of third base. The ball rolled all the way to the corner as O’Regan streaked around the bases to score on the double.
With runners on first and second with two outs in the seventh, Ryne Ogren singed to right to plate the final Phoenix marker.
Notes: Welhaf retired 10 straight UMass hitters at one point… Welhaf threw first-pitch strikes to 24 of the 31 batters he faced… Elon has recorded two shutouts in the same year for the first time since 2014 (5-0 vs. Gardner-Webb and 1-0 vs. Georgia Southern)… Zach Evers drew a walk in the third inning and has now reached base safely in all 11 games this season.
On Deck: Elon and UMass will wrap up the three-game series with a noon game on Sunday at Latham Park.
Going to be a long season for both these schools..UMASS wouldn’t beat Ledford HS in a series. It was tough to watch, as Elon has only 2-3 guys that can swing it. Honestly, offensively the mechanics/swings were a joke for Colleg Ball.