ELON, N.C. -- Elon and Duke today played to an 8-8 tie in non-conference baseball action. The game was suspended due to darkness and will be completed on March 2 at Duke.
Elon took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning on Ryan Radford's first homer in a Phoenix uniform. The Blue Devils stormed back with six runs in the top of the fourth, sending 11 men to the plate. A Javier Socorro double tied the game at one and the Blue Devils took a 2-1 advantage two batters later when Socorro came home on Brett Bartles single. Bryan Smith, Ron Causey and J.J. Koterba would each drive in runs to put Duke ahead 6-1 after three and a half innings of play.
The Phoenix trimmed the margin to 6-4 in the fourth, using RBI singles from Chris Vasami and Matt Stocco. In the fifth, Elon added three more. An Evan Erickson infield single allowed Drew Davis to score. Vasami the delivered two with a single to put the Phoenix back in front 7-6.
Elon pushed its advantage to 8-6 in the sixth when Gary Morris scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Chris Price.
Duke evened the score at 8-8 in the top of the seventh when a Bartles single up the middle plated both Adam Murray and Socorro.
The Phoenix had a chance to end the game in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Erickson tripled to right center. Duke then chose to intentionally walk both Paul Bennett and Vasami, loading the bases for pinch-hitter Kevin Pratt. Pratt was struck out and Radford then grounded back to the pitcher to end the threat and the day's action.
The Phoenix had used five pitchers on the day while Duke had sent four men to the mound.
Erickson (2-for-4, 2 runs, RBI) and Vasami (2-for-3, 3 RBI) were pacing the Phoenix offense while Duke was led by Bartles (3-for-5, run, 3 RBI), Murray (2-for-4, 2 runs) and Smith (2-for-4, run, RBI).
The game will resume with the top of the 10th inning on March 2.
Elon will head to Auburn for a three game series with the Tigers beginning on Friday at 5:00 p.m. EST. Duke hosts Army beginning Friday at 3:00 p.m.
Game Box Score
March 2 Game Story
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