BURLINGTON, N.C.-- Behind 12 hits and 15 collective strikeouts, the Elon University baseball team defeated High Point 5-1 on Wednesday night at the Burlington Athletic Stadium. Matt McSwain led the Phoenix from the mound, fanning 11 batters in his seven and 1/3 innings of work.
Elon (19-22) started the offense early in the game, scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Gary Morris led off the game for the Phoenix with a single up the middle before stealing second base. Chris Price doubled to left center to bring Morris home and put Elon ahead 1-0.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Greg Rembert reached on a single down the left field line. Tyler Stevens advanced Rembert before he scored on a hit-and-run single by Drew Davis to give Elon the eventual game winning run.
Elon added another run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Evan Erickson reached base on a single to right center and scored from second on a Tommy Hill double to put the Phoenix ahead 3-0.
In the top of the eighth inning, Matt Keever knocked a home run over the fence to put a run on the board for the Panthers (6-34) and cut the lead to two at 3-1.
Elon extended its lead in the bottom of the eighth inning when Evan Tartaglia reached base on a walk before advancing on a Price single and scoring on a Rembert double. Then, with the bases loaded, Erickson singled up the middle to score pinch runner Austin Boehme and put Elon ahead at the final of 5-1.
Relief pitcher Adam Acosta struck out three consecutive batters in the ninth inning to end the game and give Elon the victory.
McSwain (2-3) tallied the win for the Phoenix allowing only one run and five hits while walking none. Acosta earned his fifth save of the season after pitching one and 1/3 innings and striking out four batters. Phil Leake (2-2) sufferd the loss for the Panthers after throwing six innings and allowing three runs on nine hits and striking out two.
Elon plays again on Thursday, April 22 against the Aggies of North Carolina A&T in a 7:00 p.m. game at Burlington Athletic Stadium.
--ELON-- Game Box Score
