Eleven-Run Eighth Sends UNCG Baseball Past Elon
ELON, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) baseball team scored 11 runs in the eighth inning on the way to a 15-1 victory over Elon in a non-conference test at Latham Park on Tuesday night.
The Spartans’ 11-run eighth marked their first time posting double-digit runs in one frame since previously accomplishing it by scoring 11 on April 29, 2023, at Mercer in the eighth inning of an eventual 18-13 victory.
UNCG, now 20-15 overall, improved to 13-10 in non-conference games this season with the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Elon opened the scoring in the bottom of the second when Will Vergantino singled through the left side with two outs to score Alex Duffey.
The Phoenix carried the one-run lead into the top of the eighth inning until the Spartans piled on 11 runs to take an 11-1 lead. After Trey Truitt singled and Jeremy Wolf was hit by a pitch, Aidan Brewer singled on a bunt and a throwing error that allowed Trey and Wolf to score. Caleb Cozart then blasted his 16th home run of the season, a three-run shot out to center. Two more runs then scored on throwing errors. Wolf eventually came back up to the plate and singled through the left side to score a pair. The top of the eighth concluded after Jake Ogden singled to drive in Wolf and Cozart hit a sacrifice fly out to right that scored Brewer, making it 11-1.
UNCG scored four more runs in the ninth. Brantley Truitt got it started with his first career home run to left. Then Cam Murphy drew a bases-loaded walk and a fielding error allowed one more to score before GC Jarman drew a walk for an RBI as well. The Spartan’s four runs on three hits in the ninth ensured the 15-1 victory.
NOTES:
UNCG finishes its season series against Elon 1-1 after falling in the first meeting in Greensboro, 6-3, back on Feb. 27. The Spartans are now 27-40 in the all-time series against the Phoenix.
Hunter Shuey earned the win in his third start and 10th appearance of the season. He threw a season-high seven innings of one-run baseball with six hits surrendered while striking out two along the way.
Cozart led the Spartans with four RBI in the ballgame.
Ogden paced UNCG with a season-high four hits.
Wolf finished with three hits in four at bats, including two RBI and two runs.
Danny Thompson Jr. and Sam Murchison dealt the shutout eighth and ninth innings out of the bullpen and combined for four strikeouts.
PITCHING RECORDS:
Hunter Shuey: W, 4-0
Christo Garrelts: L, 1-3
RECORDS:
UNCG: 20-15
ELON: 14-22
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UP NEXT
The Spartans will return to the UNCG Baseball Stadium to host Radford in a weekend series from Friday, April 19 to Sunday, April 20. Friday’s game against the Highlanders will feature Pearl Kitchen Food Truck and the first 100 UNCG students will receive a free tank top!
Courtesy of Connor Wachtel
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro