ELON, N.C. – The Elon University baseball team will open up a season-long 11-game homestand this weekend as the Phoenix plays host to former Southern Conference rival Georgia Southern in a three-game series that opens with a 4 p.m. contest on Friday, March 10. In a schedule change due to the threat of inclement weather, the two teams will play a doubleheader on Friday before concluding the series with a single game on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Tickets
Tickets are available for $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at elonphoenix.com or at the ticket windows at Latham Park beginning one hour prior to first pitch.
Parking
Free parking for baseball games at Latham Park is available in the Ingold Parking Lot adjacent to the stadium. Parking is also available across the stree in the Hunt Softball Parking Lot.
Latham Park Regulations
• Elon reserves the right to remove from Latham Park anyone who is intoxicated, using foul or abusive language or behaving inappropriately.
• In accordance with Elon University policies, alcohol and tobacco products are prohitbited in Latham Park.
• Per league policy, artificial noisemakers of any kind are prohibited in Latham Park.
• In accordance with Elon University policy, pets are not premitted within the gates of Latham Park. Only service animals may be brought into the facility.
• Umbrellas are prohibited inside Latham Park.
• Only student-athletes, officials and authorized personnel are permitted onto the field.
• Gates open 60 minutes prior to first pitch.
Baseball Alumni Weekend
The Elon University baseball team will welcome back former players for an Alumni Weekend when the Phoenix takes on CAA foe James Madison March 31-April 2. Over the course of the weekend, the teams from 1985, 1987, 1989, 1997 and 2002 will be recognized, however, Alumni Weekend is open to all former Elon players from any era.
For more information on the event, or to register for the weekend, click HERE.
Pitching Matchups
Friday (1) – Elon: So. RH Ryan Conroy (1-0, 2.14 ERA) vs. Ga. Southern: Sr. LH Evan Challenger (0-2, 6.30 ERA)
Friday (2) – Elon: Jr. RH Robbie Welhaf (2-1, 3.20 ERA) vs. Ga. Southern: So. RH Brian Eichhorn (0-1, 4.02 ERA)
Saturday – Elon: Fr. RH Kyle Brnovich (0-1, 4.72 ERA) vs. Ga. Southern: So. RH Chase Cohen (0-1, 6.97 ERA)
Series History
Both former members of the Southern Conference, Elon and Georgia Southern have played 44 times prior to this weekend’s series. The Phoenix holds a slim 23-21 advantage in the series. The two first met in 1968 with the Eagles picking up a 1-0 victory. In 2014, the last season for both in the SoCon, Elon won two of the three meetings at Latham Park, including a 4-2 victory in the series finale.
Preseason Prognostications
In its third season in the CAA, the league’s coaches selected the Phoenix to finish fifth in the preseason poll. Senior CJ Young was honored as a preseason all-CAA selection.
1. UNCW (8)
2. William & Mary (1)
3. College of Charleston
4. Delaware
5. Elon
6. James Madison
7. Northeastern
8. Towson
9. Hofstra
Oh Captain, My Captain
Head coach Mike Kennedy announced prior to the 2017 season that five players will serve as team captains this year. Seniors Jordan Barrett, Danny Crowe and Will Nance will be joined by sophomore Ryne Ogren and red-shirt freshman Cam Devanney as the Phoenix captains in 2017.
Welhaf Dealing at Home
Junior Robbie Welhaf has made two starts on the mound at Latham Park in 2017 and has yet to allow a run at home. Welhaf opened the season with a nine-inning, no-hit shutout of Longwood before not allowing a run over 8.0 innings in a victory over UMass. The righty is 2-0 at home and has allowed five hits and four walks while striking out 16 hitters. Opponents are hitting just .094 against him at Latham Park.
Home Shutout Streak Snapped
On Feb. 28, Elon suffered a 1-0 setback in 10 innings to Liberty at Latham Park. It was a notable feat as the Phoenix had not been shutout at home since a 9-0 loss to Towson on April 14, 2012. Elon had played 133 games at Latham Park in between the two shutouts.
Quick Feet
After stealing just 37 bases over the course of the 2016 season, the Phoenix showed off some speed during its opening weekend against Longwood. The maroon and gold was successful on 10 of its 13 steal attempts against the Lancers.
On the year, Elon now has stolen 15 bases in 20 tries.
Tough Slate
Elon’s 2017 schedule features 14 games against teams that participated in NCAA Tournament action a year ago. Of the Phoenix’s 14 non-conference opponents, seven were selected to finish in the top three of their league (or division). Among them were league (or division) preseason favorites in East Carolina (1st AAC), UNCG (1st SoCon), High Point (1st Big South) and North Carolina (1st ACC Coastal Division).
They are so limited offensively, they even sacrificed bunt in the 2nd inning Tuesday!