Box Score

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A ninth-inning rally fell just short for Elon as the Phoenix dropped a 3-2 decision against the #2 South Carolina Gamecocks in baseball action on Saturday afternoon.  The Phoenix is now 4-2 on the season while South Carolina remains unbeaten at 5-0.

Trailing 3-0 heading to the ninth inning, Elon began its rally when a one-out grounder to second was misplayed allowing Quinn Bower to reach.  After Niko Fraser was hit by a pitch to put two aboard, Alex Swim delivered a single through the right side of the infield to plate Bower and get the Phoenix on the board.  Fraser raced to third on the Swim single and then scored on a Garrett Koster single up the middle.  Elon's hopes were dashed when the game ended on a strike out on a 3-2 pitch to the next hitter.

With one out and a runner on first in the last of the third, South Carolina got back-to-back singles from Tanner English and Christian Walker to take a 1-0 lead.  A fielder’s choice erased the runner from first, but the Phoenix could not turn the double play and the second Gamecock run scored.

The Gamecocks added an unearned run in the fifth when a double play ball brought home a runner from third.

Elon starter Dylan Clark (1-1) had a solid outing.  He went six innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out three.  The relief efforts of Grant Fisher and Ryan Pennell combined for two scoreless innings with two strikeouts.

South Carolina's Matt Price (1-0) did not allow a run on just one hit over his five innings.  Price fanned a career-high eight hitters.  Forrest Koumas recorded the final out to pick up his second save of the season.

Elon will look to salvage the series with a game three victory on Sunday.  First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. and can be heard live on WPCM 920 AM or at elonphoenix.com