ELON, N.C. – The Elon Phoenix and the College of Charleston Cougars played eight and a half innings to a 2-2 tie before the game was suspended due to rain. The teams will pick up the game in the bottom of the ninth inning on Saturday, March 12 at 1 p.m.

Elon took the lead in the bottom of the third inning with two outs on the board. Gary Morris singled to centerfield before advancing to second on a balk by the College of Charleston pitcher. Paul Bennett then singled down the right field line to score Morris and put Elon ahead 1-0.

The Cougars tied the game in the top of the fifth when Brett Anderson walked and advanced to second and third on two wild pitches before scoring on a passed ball.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Chris Vasmi led off for the Phoenix with a blast over the left centerfield fence to give Elon the 2-1 lead.

Byron Barber led off the top of the ninth inning with a double down the left field line before D.J. Wabick knocked a double to left field to score pinch runner Matt Kirkpatrick and tied the game heading into the bottom of the ninth.

Matt McSwain pitched eight innings for the Phoenix, giving up one run, and no earned runs, on only one hit and striking out six batters. Chad Tilley pitched the ninth inning for Elon giving up one run on two hits.

Ryan Edell threw seven innings for the Cougars. He gave up two runs on seven hits and fanned six batters. Nick Chigges tossed the eighth inning and gave up no runs on no hits.

Before the teams could begin the bottom half of the inning, the game was suspended because of rain and play will resume on Saturday at 1 p.m. Following the conclusion of the game, the two teams will begin their second game of the three-game conference series.

–ELON–