BOONE, N.C. -- Elon rallied from a 3-1 deficit to claim a 7-3 Southern Conference baseball victory over Appalachian State on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Phoenix (31-23, 18-12 SoCon) completed the sweep of the three-game series with the Mountaineers (10-42, 5-24).
Elon grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Evan Erickson singled home Paul Bennett who reached on the first of three ASU errors on the day.
Appalachian State plated three in the bottom of the fourth to claim the lead. J.J. Rollins singled up the middle to drive in the first two runs for the Mountaineers. A double from Jordan Ivey allowed the third run of the inning to score.
The Phoenix answered immediately, scoring three times in the top of the fifth to reclaim its lead. With one out and the bases loaded, Chris Price drew a walk, his 50th of the season to collect an RBI. Erickson's sac fly to to center was deep enough that two runs were able to score to put Elon back in front, 4-3.
In the seventh inning, Elon added its fifth run of the day. Bennett scored when Drew Davis singled to the rightfield gap.
Elon added its final two runs in the eighth inning. Matt Hill scored from second on Ryan Radford's single to center for the first tally of the frame. The second run scored when Gary Morris crossed the plate on a single from Bennett.
Radford collected three of Elon's 13 hits on the afternoon while Bennett recorded two hits, scored three times and drove in one. Erickson ended the day with three RBI.
ASU's offense was led by Rollins who had two of the five hits for the Mountaineers. He also drove in two.
Picking up the victory for Elon was Justin Bors (1-2). Bors threw 3.1 innings in relief of Ryan Basham and allowed only one hit. Basham lasted 3.2 innings and gave up three runs on four hits. Kevin Regan hurled the final 2.0 innings to pick up his second save of the year.
Taylor Craig (1-8) took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits over 4.1 innings of work.
Elon will now await the Southern Conference Tournament seedings to see who and when it will next play. The tournament begins on Wednesday, May 25 at Joseph C. Riley Park in Charleston, S.C.
-- ELON -- Game Box Score
