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GREENSBORO, N.C. -- In the opener of a three-game Southern Conference baseball series on Friday evening, the Elon Phoenix dropped a 5-1 decision against the UNCG Spartans at UNCG Baseball Stadium.

The loss was the first for the Phoenix (25-17, 11-8 SoCon) on a Friday night this season. The maroon and gold had been 8-0 on Friday nights.

UNCG (18-19, 5-8) scored the game's first run in the last of the second when Jordan McDonald singled home Hunter King.

The Spartans increased their lead to 5-0 thanks to two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings before Elon got on the board in the eighth as Casey Jones drove in Andy Moore with a single.

Elon threatened to score in the game's opening frame. With one out, Quinn Bower singled, stole second and went to third on a Jones single. After Jones swiped second with two down, UNCG starter Ryan Clark escaped by striking out the next hitter to end the inning.

Lucas Bakker (5-2) was tagged with the loss after he allowed three runs on seven hits in 5.1 innings. He fanned five Spartan hitters.

Clark (3-4) took the win. He gave up one run on six hits in 7.2 innings.

The two will meet for game two of the series on Saturday at 2 p.m.