Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Ben Scott's infield single with one out in the top of the ninth scored Ryan Kinsella from third base with the game's only run as the Elon Phoenix handed the UNC Greensboro Spartans a 1-0 loss in the first game of a Southern Conference baseball series on Friday night.

Elon's last shutout was also a 1-0 game.  The Phoenix edged Samford by that margin in last year's SoCon Tournament in Charleston, S.C.

The Phoenix (18-9 overall, 9-1 SoCon) extended its best-ever SoCon start with the win, its 10th consecutive victory over the Spartans (14-10, 6-4).

Starting pitching for both teams was exceptional.  Elon's Kyle Webb tossed 7.2 shutout innings, striking out six and allowing five hits.  UNCG's Warren Slack threw six scoreless frames, fanning six and giving up four hits.

UNCG's best scoring chance came in the eighth when the Spartans loaded the bases with two outs before Thomas Troelstrup flew out to right-center to end the threat.

With one away in the top of the ninth, Kinsella drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch before a Sebastian Gomez single to right-center put runners on the corners.  Scott gave Elon a 1-0 lead with an infield single to short.

John Brebbia improved to 5-0 after recording the final out of the eighth while Mitch Conner picked up his sixth save of the season after throwing the ninth.

Jonathan Jones (0-2) took the loss after he was charged with one run on two hits in 2.1 innings.

Of Elon's seven hits, two came from Gomez.  UNCG was held to five hits, including two from Bobby Martin.

The two squads will meet in game two of this series on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.