Brnovich, Homers Allow Elon Baseball to Take Series Opener

ELON, N.C. – Kyle Brnovich became Elon University baseball’s all-time leader in strikeouts while Cam Devanneyand Ty Adcock both homered in a series-opening win 5-4 over James Madison Friday, March 29 at Latham Park.

BOX SCORE | FINAL RESULTS

Brnovich improved to 2-3 on the season after holding the Dukes (18-9, 2-2 CAA) to three runs on seven hits and a pair of walks. The Milton, Ga. native fanned seven through 7.0 complete innings. Brandon Justice allowed on run on two hits and a walk in 0.2 innings of relief, and Adcock earned the save after tossing the final 1.1 innings and striking out two batters.

Devanney batted 2-for-4 with a two-run blast, one run, and three RBIs. Adcock also hit a two-RBI long ball and finished 1-for-4 at the plate. Matt Oldham turned in a multi-hit effort as the sophomore went 2-for-4 and scored a run.

How It Happened: The visitors struck first with a three-run top of the third. After a DaVonn Griffin leadoff double to the gap in left, a sacrifice bunt moved him up to third. Fox Semones then beat out a single to short, allowing JMU to bring in its first tally in the game. Semone then stole second and came around on a single through the left side. Another pair of singles then plated the third run.

The Phoenix (14-12, 3-1) got a run back in the home half of the fourth. Anthony Galason drew a leadoff walk and Jarrett Pico followed with a single to right center. Satterfield reached on a fielder’s choice to place runners on the corners, and Galason crossed the final 90 feet on a Devanney fielder’s choice.

Elon had its biggest turn at the plate in the sixth. With two outs, Satterfield worked a seven-pitch walk before Devanney hit a line-drive homer to left center as the maroon and gold pulled even at 3-3. Oldham then singled and Adcock followed Devanney’s lead with a two-run bomb of his own, this one to straight-away center.

JMU made it a one-run game in the eighth. With a hard-hit ball to first and a single to right putting runners on the corners, the Dukes closed the gap 5-4 on a Brady Harju sacrifice fly to right. A pair of walks loaded the bases, but Pico fielded a grounder right at him and stepped on third for the easy force out. The purple and gold put two on in the top of the ninth, but with two outs Adcock got the JMU batter swinging to end the game.

Notes: Brnovich became Elon’s all-time leader in strikeouts as he fooled the leadoff man in the top of the fifth. He entered the game with 298 career punch outs and needed four to pull even with Steven Hensley (2006-08)…The sixth inning marked the second multi-home run inning of the season for the Phoenix. Adam Spurlin and Devanney each homered in the fifth inning of last Saturday’s 7-2 win at Charleston…Galason has now reached in 24 consecutive games and Satterfield 21…With the win, Elon improves to 12-3 in the all-time series. The Phoenix has now won three in a row versus the Dukes.

On Deck: Elon and James Madison return for a 4 p.m. meeting tomorrow. George Kirby is expected to start for the Phoenix, while Nick Stewart will get the nod for the Dukes.