HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Hofstra Pride used a three-run fifth inning to claim a 5-3 victory over Elon in the first game of a three-game CAA baseball series at University Field on Friday afternoon.

Elon fell to 22-22 overall and 11-8 in league action with the defeat. Hofstra improved to 17-26, 4-15.

Ryan Cooper had two of the eight hits the Phoenix recorded while Chris King belted his 13th home run of the season to drive in a pair.

Brett Johnson was 3-for-4 with a run scored and one RBI to lead the Pride.

In his third start, Nick Beaulac (4-2) took the loss. He was charged with five runs on eight hits in 6.1 innings. Beaulac struck out five.

The win went to Bowie Matteson (2-2) who allowed three runs on seven hits in 6.2 innings. Brendan Mulligan gave up one hit in 2.1 innings to pick up his second save.

Up next: Elon and Hofstra will play game two of the series at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

How it happened: With Hofstra holding a 2-1 lead in the last of the fifth, the Pride got a leadoff single and a one-out walk to put two aboard for Jake Fallon who doubled on a ball inside the first base bag. The double scored two. Fallon would then score on a Dalton Rouleau double to make it a 5-1 game.

Inside the box score: The Phoenix only had four at bats with runners in scoring position and recorded just one hit in those trips … Four of Hofstra's nine hits were doubles.

Notes: King's home run was the 23rd of his career … His 48 RBI on the year are two shy of his combined total from the previous two seasons.