ELON, N.C. – B.J. Szymanski made a key play in left center field in the seventh inning and Matthew Becker belted a grand slam in the ninth as Princeton downed Elon 9-3 in a non-conference baseball game on a rainy Monday afternoon at Latham Park.

With the Tigers (6-1) ahead by a 5-3 margin in the bottom of the seventh, Drew Davis slammed a two-out shot to left center with Phoenix runners on second and third base. Szymanski dove into the warning track gravel to make the catch, ending the inning and preventing the probable tying run.

Becker then belted a four-run blast to left off of Elon reliever Mike Fratoe, putting the contest out of reach for the Phoenix (7-12). Tim Lahey, Ryan Reich and Paul Ackerman all scored on the fatal swing as Princeton claimed its third consecutive victory.

The game was a wild one, featuring 23 total runners left on base, 14 walks and five batters being hit by a pitch. The Tigers committed two of the contest’s three errors, but out-hit the hosts 12-6.

Princeton starter Brian Biegen (1-0) was charged with two earned runs on four hits and four bases on balls in five innings. Phoenix starter Matt McSwain (1-2) allowed four earned runs on seven hits and three walks in five and 1/3 innings.

Reich (2-for-5, run), Ackerman (2-for-3, run, two BB), Steve Young (2-for-4, run, RBI, BB, triple, SF) and Adam Balkan (2-for-5, run, RBI) all turned in multi-hit outings for the Tigers. Elon was led by Evan Erickson (2-for-4) and Tyler Stevens (1-for-5, run, two RBIs), who hit a leadoff homer down the left field line in the second to extend his hitting streak to seven games.

The Phoenix will return to action against High Point at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Latham Park. Princeton visits North Carolina at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

– ELON –

Game Box Score