ELON, N.C. – A trio of errors and a few missed chances offensively were costly for the Elon University baseball team as the Phoenix dropped a 6-2 contest to the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Latham Park on Tuesday afternoon.
Ryne Ogren and Kyle Jackson both turned in two-hit games for Elon (7-10). Jackson also drove in one run.
NC State (9-8) was led by Brett Kinneman’s 2-for-3 day and Andy Cosgrove’s 2-for-4 performance.
George Kirby (0-2) was the tough-luck loser after allowing three unearned runs in 6.0 innings. Kirby struck out a season-high six hitters.
Picking up the win out of the bullpen was Joe O’Donnell (3-0). He gave up one run on two hits in 3.1 innings. Austin Staley earned his third save with 1.1 scoreless innings.
How It Happened: The Phoenix had a prime opportunity to take an early lead in the bottom of the fourth inning as the Phoenix loaded the bases with no outs on an Ogren single and a pair of Wolfpack errors. After a strikeout, Jamal Clarke lifted a ball to right field that was blown in by the wind. The ball was caught by the State outfielder who was able to make a perfect throw to the plate to retire Ogren who was trying to score from third. That play kept Elon off the board in that frame.
Elon would again load the bases with no outs in the fifth. Walks to Kory Shumate and Zach Evers were sandwiched around Hayden Platt being hit by a pitch to bring Joe Satterfield to the plate. Satterfield lifted the first pitch he saw to deep left, allowing Shumate to score the first run of the game. A double play would again snuff out the Phoenix threat as the Wolfpack turned the 4-6-3 twin killing to end the inning.
With two outs and Wolfpack runners on second and third in the top of the sixth, a comebacker to the mound looked like it would get Elon out of the inning, but the throw to first was off the mark and NC State grabbed a 2-0 lead and would continue with a runner on second. A second consecutive Phoenix throwing error would allow a third Wolfpack run to score in the inning.
The game remained 3-1 until the eighth inning when both teams hit solo home runs. NC State’s shot came from Joe Dunand, while Elon’s bomb came off the bat of Jackson.
NC State would add a pair of insurance runs in the ninth to provide the final margin.
Notes: During his five-game hitting streak, Ogren has gone 9-for-20 (.450)… Danny Crowe allowed both ninth inning NC State runs; they marked the first runs allowed by the senior reliever since opening day, a span of 9.1 innings over seven appearances… The Phoenix was 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
On Deck: Elon will remain at home this weekend to play host to the VMI Keydets. The series will open with a 4 p.m. first pitch on Friday, March 17.
Extremely pathetic offensive output again especially on a mid-week game. This team is tough to watch as they have only 2 guys who can drive the baseball. Should have beat State as they are down this year. Not going to win many hitting.234 as a team.
Very disappointed in the level and style of play. It’s “old school” and boring brand of baseball.