ELON, NC -- Elon University picked up its 17th baseball victory of the season behind seven strong innings from starting pitcher Matt Garner and seven runs on eight hits, defeating visiting Birmingham-Southern 7-3 in the opening game of the weekend series. The Phoenix is now 17-9-1 on the year, while the Panthers fall to 15-11.
After two scoreless innings, Elon got on the board with four runs in the bottom of the third. The inning began with Drew Davis' (2-for-3, 2 R, 2B) single back up the middle. After a foul out, Davis swiped second. Then, with two outs, Gary Morris (1-for-3, R, RBI) singled to center, plating Davis. A Brian Ingram (1-for-4, R) single to left put runners on first and second. Mike Fratoe (1-for-4, R, RBI, SB) then singled home Morris and advanced Ingram to third. Both Ingram and Fratoe scored when an attempted pick off throw from the Birmingham-Southern catcher went down the left field line.
The Phoenix would add two more markers in the fourth. The highlight play of the inning was a double steal that saw Evan Tartaglia (0-for-3, 2 SB) swipe second and Robbie Smith (1-for-4, R, SB) steal home.
Elon tacked on another run in the sixth inning, but the Panthers did not go quietly. Birmingham-Southern tallied two runs in the seventh, the first of which scored when Connor Robertson (1-for-4, R, RBI) singled home Michael Cline (1-for-4, R, 2B). Robertson then came home on a double from Ryan Griffith (1-for-4, R, 2B). The Panthers would add a final run in the ninth inning for the final margin.
Garner earned his team-leading fifth victory of the season (5-2) after hurling seven complete innings and surrendering two runs on four hits. He also fanned six Panther hitters. Derek Griffith (4-3) suffered the loss for Birmingham-Southern, throwing four innings and giving up six runs (four earned) on five hits. Griffith walked four and struck out four.
The three-game set will resume tomorrow at Elon's Latham Park beginning at 1:00 p.m. The final game of the series will be Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Latham Park.
Game Box Score
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