Box Score

ELON, N.C. -- After scoring a season-high 17 runs on Friday night, the Elon Phoenix returned to the Latham Park field on Saturday and found itself on the wrong side of a 9-0 score against the visiting Towson Tigers.

After three scoreless innings, Towson (18-17) broke through with a three-run fourth.  The inning began with a Brendan Butler single up the middle and went to second when the throw to first on a ground was not handled.  A bunt single by Peter Bowles should have loaded the bases, but the second Elon (20-17) error of the inning allowed Butler to score the game's first run.  After a ground out scored the second run, a third Phoenix error let the third run cross the plate.

Elon kept it close and trailed 4-0 heading into the eighth inning when Towson added four insurance runs with Kurt Wertz, Pat Fitzgerald and Dominic Fratantuono all picking up a RBI.  The Tigers added a final run in the ninth.

Towson pitchers recorded 17 outs via ground balls.

Kyle Webb (3-3) took the loss after he surrendered four runs (two earned) on five hits in seven innings.

Brandon Gonnella (3-2) hurled eight shutout frames to pick up the victory for the Tigers.

Eric Serra recorded two of Elon's six hits on the night.  Ryan Kinsella took an 0-for-3 to snap his career-best 10-game hitting streak.

The Phoenix will look to win the series when the team play the rubber match at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.