The win, the first NCAA Division I Tournament victory for Elon in any sport, improved the Phoenix to 45-16. The Bulldogs dropped to 35-22 on the year.
With one down in the bottom of the first, Adam Weaver singled to right-center before moving to second on a Chris Vasami walk. Robert Rodebaugh was induced into an infield fly to third before Bulldog starter Brooks Dunn got Grant Rembert to pop out to second, ending the Phoenix’s early threat.
In the second, Brian LaNinfa led off with a bloop single to center. He advanced to third when Mitch Moreland followed with a double to the gap in right. A sacrifice fly from Joseph Hunter plated LaNinfa and Mississippi State grabbed the early advantage.
The Phoenix began the bottom of the second with a Chris Price walk which was followed by a bouncing single through the left side of the infield off the bat of Addison. Paul Bennett loaded the bases with a bunt single toward third. Jordy Snyder’s ground ball to third resulted in a fielder’s choice that allowed Snyder to reach and Price to score. The throw home was a poor one that went to the MSU dugout and allowed Addison to score the second run. The Phoenix pushed across the third run on a sac fly from Donny Jobe. Elon’s lead grew to 4-1 when Vasami delivered Snyder with a single.
Mississippi State got back-to-back singles from Michael Rutledge and Jeff Butts to start the fifth. The Bulldogs closed the gap to 4-3 on a triple to the gap in right from Jeffrey Rea and evened the score on a RBI groundout from Edward Easley.
With two down in the bottom of the eighth, Irvine drove home Addison to put Elon back on top, 5-4.
Pinch-hitter Matt Richardson singled to start the MSU ninth before the Phoenix set down the next three hitters.
Elon starter Matt Chastain took a no-decision. The senior went 5.2 innings, giving up four runs on eight hits. Jesse Lewter (5-1) picked up the win with 2.1 innings in relief, retiring all seven hitters he faced. Chad Tilley picked up his school-record 11th save of the season after allowing one hit in one inning of work.
Dunn (8-6) lasted 7.1 innings and surrendered five runs (four earned) on seven hits and took the loss for the Bulldogs.
Addison led Elon at the dish, posting a 3-for-4 outing with a steal and two runs scored.
Mississippi State’s Butts was 2-for-4 with a run scored while Rea led the team with two RBI.
The Phoenix will take on either top-seeded Clemson or fourth-seeded UNC Asheville at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon from Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
-- ELON -- Game Box Score
