Box Score

CLEMSON, S.C. -- A six-run sixth inning from the 14th-ranked Clemson Tigers proved to be the difference as the Elon Phoenix came out on the short end of a 7-2 decision in the first game of a two-game mid-week set on Tuesday night.  The loss snapped Elon's six-game road winning streak and dropped the Phoenix to 15-7 on the year.  Clemson improved to 11-7.

With two down and a runner on third thanks to a single, passed ball and a ground out, Will Lamb bounced a ball up the middle just out of reach of Neal Pritchard to score Spencer Kieboom with the game's first run in the bottom of the third.

Elon had a prime opportunity to even the score in the sixth, but failed to score.  With two outs, Pritchard drew a walk and then raced to third when Alex Swim reached on an error.  Clemson escaped the jam when Justin Sarratt fanned his 10th Phoenix hitter of the game.

Clemson capitalized on the momentum and plated six runs in the bottom half.  Lamb led things off with a single to center and then stole second.  After a fly out advanced Lamb to third, Elon intentionally walked Phil Pohl to set up a double play.  Richie Shaffer followed and grounded a ball just past the glove of a diving Pritchard for a RBI single as the Tigers took a 2-0 lead.  Clemson loaded the bases thanks to a bunt single from Jon McGibbon before Jason Stolz walked on a 3-2 pitch to force home Pohl.  Chris Epps then made it a 5-0 game with a double to right that plated two.  Kieboom delivered his third hit of the night, a liner to right, to score Stolz and up the Tiger edge to 6-0.  Lamb drove in the sixth run of the inning with a sacrifice fly to center before another walk loaded the bases again.  A ground ball to third from Pohl ended the inning.

Sebastian Gomez drew a walk to begin the seventh inning and moved to second on Garrett Koster's one-out single through the left side of the infield.  Eric Serra got the Phoenix on the board with a line drive single to right that plated Gomez.  After Jake Luce walked to load the bases, Niko Fraser grounded a single between first and second to score Koster.  Elon could not push across any more in the frame as Clemson got Pritchard to pop up and Swim to fly out to center.

Thomas Girdwood (2-2) took the loss after being charged with four runs (three earned) in 5.1 innings.

Sarratt (1-1) won after holding Elon scoreless for six innings.  He walked just one and struck out 10.

Both Fraser and Serra posted 2-for-4 days at the plate for the Phoenix.

Elon will face off with Clemson again on Wednesday.  Game time has been moved up to 4 p.m. due to the threat of rain.