Box Score

ELON, N.C. -- Thomas Girdwood set a new Elon program record by making his 96th career appearance, but unfortunately it was the only thing the Phoenix had to celebrate on Sunday as the visiting College of Charleston Cougars salvaged their weekend by picking up a 4-1 victory in front of 955 fans at Latham Park.  Elon, which had won the first two games of the series, fell to 24-13 overall and 14-4 in Southern Conference play.  CofC improved to 23-14, 8-7.

For the second consecutive game, the Cougars grabbed a first-inning lead.  Marty Gantt led off with a single to right, stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt.  Rob Kral's sharp infield single to second plated Gantt with the first run.  After a failed pick-off attempt and wild pitch advanced Kral to third, Matt Leeds grounded a ball to first for the second out that plated the second CofC tally.

Eric Serra started the bottom of the first with a line drive single to left and moved up 90 feet when Niko Fraser was plunked.  With two away, Alex Swim lined a single to left that plated Serra.  The Phoenix would then load the bases after Sebastian Gomez drew a four-pitch walk, but failed to score any more runs as Grant McCoury's rope to center was right at Cole Rakar and was hauled in for the final out.

With Rob Harding on first after being hit by a one-out pitch, Robert Pritcher singled to center to put two aboard for the Cougars in the top of the second.  With two down, Gantt hit a 3-2 pitch into right for a single that plated Harding. 

It remained a 3-1 game into the fifth when Gantt scored from third on a Kral sacrifice fly to center.  Gantt was on third thanks to a walk, stolen base and Rakar single.

Swim led off the bottom of the ninth with a double to the gap in right-center and McCoury drew a one-out walk, but the Phoenix failed to find a way to win for the 10th time in its final at bat this season as Casey Lucchese retired the next two hitters to earn his first save of the year.

Kyle Webb (2-1) suffered his first loss of the year after he allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits in four innings.  Girdwood came on and tossed four scoreless frames.  In the process, Girdwood surpassed former Elon pitcher Kevin Regan's 95 appearances on the mound between 2003-06.

CofC's Christian Powell gave up one run on four hits while striking out seven in eight innings.  Powell retired the final 16 hitters he faced.

At the plate, Swim recorded two of Elon's five hits while Gomez went 1-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to eight games.

For the Cougars, Gantt, Kral and Leeds all posted two-hit days.  Kral also drove in two while Gantt scored twice.

Elon will play host to High Point in a showdown of Triad rivals at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday night.