WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Cole Reynolds recorded five strikeouts and hit a two-run home run, but Elon University baseball fell 10-2 at Wake Forest on Tuesday, March 1 at David F. Couch Ballpark.

"Pretty competitive game through six innings," said head coach Mike Kennedy. "Cole Reynolds was outstanding and gave us a chance.'

ON THE MOUND
Reynolds threw 4.0 complete innings, holding the Demon Deacons (9-0) scoreless with two hits and no walks. Cam Seguin (0-1) was handed the loss after being tagged for three runs on as many hits. He tossed 1.1 innings in relief, issued one walk and also struck out one batter. Ian Evans, Shea Sprague, Sam DiLella and Noah Jensen also made appearances.

"Put our ourselves in some bad counts on the mound late and they got it going and we couldn't stop the train," added Kennedy.

AT THE PLATE
Reynolds went 1-for-3 with the long ball, run scored and two RBIs. Luke Stephenson had the other hit for the Phoenix (4-4) in a 1-for-4 outing and Samuel Frontino scored once and added a base on balls.

"Didn't have much going offensively from start to finish," continued Kennedy.

THE RUNDOWN
After four scoreless innings, Elon finally got on the board with two runs in the top of the fifth. Samuel Frontino led off and was hit by a pitch. That set up Reynolds, who homered to right field to put the Phoenix in front, 2-0. The Demon Deacons responded with two runs on three hits in the home half of the fifth. With two outs and the bases loaded, a Nick Kurtz single up the middle brought home from second and third.
 
Wake opened up the game with a five-run bottom of the seventh. A leadoff walk and a double to left center put the hosts in front, 3-2. Later with runners on the corners, Elon elected to get the force at second as the batter reached on a fielder's choice and another runner crossed the plate. The Deacs tacked on two more thanks to a triple to left center and a single to left plated another run for the 7-2 advantage.
 
In the eighth, the home team drove in another three runs on three hits and an error. Back-to-back one-out doubles made it 8-2, and a fielding error by Justin Cassella allowed the batter to reach third on the play. Wake then brought the runner in on a sacrifice fly before Kurtz homered to right center to round out the scoring.

"We have been very competitive for seven innings with two quality ACC opponents, we just have to finish," said Kennedy. "We have to have a short memory and get ready for a tough weekend with Toledo."

NOTES
- This was the first career start on the mound for Reynolds.
- Wake pushes its lead in the all-time series to 63-39.
- The teams will meet again on April 5 at Latham Park.
- Elon was 1-for-2 on stolen base attempts.
- The Phoenix committed two errors and left three runners on base.
- Elon hit .200 (1-for-5) with runners on.
- Elon's arms combined to throw 106-of-168 (63.1 percent) for strikes.

UP NEXT
Elon will host Toledo for a three-game series this Friday through Sunday, March 4-6 at Latham Park.