Box Score WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Elon loaded the bases in the top of the ninth inning, bringing the tying run to the plate, but was unable to overcome UNC Wilmington as the Phoenix fell 7-3 in non-league baseball action on Tuesday.

Trailing 7-3 entering the ninth, the Phoenix (7-8) loaded the bases thanks to two walks and a hit batter.  UNCW's William Shepley then came on and got a ground ball to end the game and pick up his first save of the season.

The Seahawks (10-6) jumped on top in the last of the third with one unearned run.  Terence Connelly led off with an infield single and was able to take second on a throwing error.  After a ground out advanced the runner to third, Luis Renvill lined a single to center to drive in the game's first run.

UNCW added to its lead in the fourth, scoring one on a Drew Farber sacrifice fly to grab a 2-0 lead.

The Elon fifth began with Casey Jones drawing a walk.  He was able to reach second safely on a fielding error by the UNCW shortstop on a grounder by Wil Leathers.  Danny Lynch got the Phoenix on the board by ripping a double to left-center, plating Jones.  With two outs and Lynch on third and Quinn Bower on second after reaching on a fielder's choice and stolen base, Alex Swim found the hole between first and second to score both runners and give Elon a 3-2 edge.

Elon's lead was short-lived, though, as the Seahawks began the fifth with a Renvill double and back-to-back singles from Hunter Ridge and Luke Dunlap to tie the game at three.  With runners on second and third with one away, Ryan LaGrange put UNCW on top 5-3 with a two-RBI single down the left field line.

UNCW added a solo run in the sixth before Farber led off the last of the eighth with a solo homer to left that made it 7-3. 

Ryan Pennell (0-1) took the loss after surrendering two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.  Freshman Tyler Manez made the first start of his career and went 3.1 innings, allowing two unearned runs on five hits.  He struck out two.

Blaze Tart (1-1) was the winning pitcher as UNCW head coach Mark Scalf picked up career win number 700.  Tart gave up three unearned runs on four hits over seven innings.  He struck out six.

Elon will return home to Latham Park on Wednesday to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in a 4 p.m. contest.