Elon, N.C. – Five Kentucky pitchers scattered five hits over nine innings and the Elon Baseball team was unable to generate enough offense to pick up a victory Sunday, falling 4-0 to the Wildcats at Rudd Field. Elon (1-2 record) opened the series with a victory but Kentucky (2-1 record) close the weekend with two wins for the series victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Elon freshman Ryan Sprock took the mound for the Phoenix and gave up just one run over four innings. That came in the first as the Wildcats manufactured a run on a walk, balk, stolen base and two-out single.
• The Phoenix had its best scoring chance in the third following a James Broderick leadoff single. After a strikeout, he moved to third on a throwing error by the third baseman with just one out. But Kentucky pitcher Zack Lee struck out the next two batters to end the threat.
• Kentucky tacked on two more runs in the fifth on a Devin Burkes two-run homer and the Wildcats scratched out an unearned run in the eighth, aided by a two-base throwing error on a failed pickoff attempt.
• Connor Coolahan led off the eighth inning with a single and Cole Reynolds hit a one-out double off the base of the wall in the ninth but Elon was unable to push them home.

 
STATS AND NOTES

• Making his first career start on the mound, freshman Ryan Sprock allowed three hits and three walks over four inning, striking out six.
• Elon's bullpen of Sam DiLella, Ben Sieracki and Itai Spinoza allowed two earned runs over five innings, striking out three.
• Cole Reynolds' ninth inning double was the only Elon extra base hit of the day. Tanner Holliman and Connor Coolahan both had singles and walks in the contest.
• Luke Stephenson threw out two would-be base stealers.
• For the weekend, Elon had a 2.33 ERA and 1.11 WHIP against the SEC opponent. The starters had a 1.84 ERA.
• Elon's defense was strong throughout the weekend, finishing with a .967 field percentage, turning two double plays and throwing out 3-of-6 base stealers.

 
UP NEXT

• Elon plays at Gardner-Webb (1-3) Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. before returning home for a three-game weekend series with Akron (2-2).