GREENSBORO, N.C. – Elon University baseball held a 2-1 lead late but could not hold off UNC Greensboro as the home team rallied for a 3-2 final on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 21 at UNCG Baseball Stadium.

"I'm extremely proud of our pitching staff and how they competed and battled for nine innings," said head coach Mike Kennedy.

ON THE MOUND
Trevor Kirk (0-1) took the loss after giving up two runs on one hit and three walks while striking out three over 1.2 innings. Brian Edgington held the Spartans (2-1) to one unearned run on four hits and three walks with one punch out in a 5.0 inning start. Tristan Corcoran, Joe Sprake and Cole Reynolds also toed the rubber in the loss.

AT THE PLATE
Jarrett Pico had a multi-hit day as he finished 2-for-4 and drove in a run. Anthony Galason went 1-for-3 with a home run. J.P. Sponseller batted 1-for-2 and added a walk, while Garrett Stonehouse and Carlos Marte both went 1-for-3 for Elon's other hits.

THE RUNDOWN
UNCG struck first in the home half of the second. A leadoff single to right and a walk put two runners on, and the pair then advanced on a passed ball. After Reynolds handled a groundout to first, a sacrifice fly to center brought home the first run of the game.
 
Elon pulled even in the top of the fifth. Sponseller led off with a hit to center before Marte moved him up with a bunt single to first. UNCG elected to get Sponseller out at third as Parker Haskin reached on the fielder's choice. Cranston then flew out to left before Pico knotted the game at 1-1 with a single back up the middle that scored Marte from second.
 
The Phoenix took the lead in its next turn at bat as Galason led off the sixth with a solo shot to left. UNCG ran the bases full in the bottom half of the frame, but with two outs Kirk got the Spartan batter to swing and miss at a 3-2 pitch.
 
UNCG ran the bases full again in the bottom of the eighth. A leadoff single up the middle and a walk put two on before the Spartans decided to drop a bunt. Kirk fielded the ball cleanly, but his throw to first pulled Pico off the bag. Elon then made a call to the pen as Sprake entered the game, and he was greeted with a hit through the left side that scored two and gave the hosts a 3-2 lead. UNCG then retired the side in order in the top of the ninth to capture the series 2-1.

NOTES
-The game marked the first start as a Phoenix for Marte.
-Edgington's 5.0 innings pitched tied his career best as a Phoenix. He tossed 5.0 innings in a no-decision at then-No. 17 East Carolina on Feb. 25, 2020.
-Reynolds made quick work of his first appearance on the mound, fanning both Spartan batters he faced in the bottom of the eighth.
-Elon's pitching staff issued nine walks compared to just one by UNCG's arms.
-Haskin showed off his arm as he threw out two Spartans trying to steal.

UP NEXT
Elon will travel to Chapel Hill, N.C. this Tuesday, Feb. 23 for a 3:30 p.m. meeting with the Tar Heels at Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium.