Elon, N.C. – After committing just six errors through the first five games of the season, the Elon Baseball team committed five on Friday, helping Akron to build an early lead in a 12-5 defeat at Latham Park. Both teams are 3-3 heading into Saturday's 1 p.m. rubber match.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Following a 2 ½ hour weather delay, Akron built a 5-0 lead in the early innings. The Zips capitalized on two first inning Elon errors for a run and then hit a three-run homer in the second following another error. In the fourth, Akron made it 5-0 in an inning that included yet another Elon error.
• The Phoenix responded though in the bottom of the fourth. After the first two batters flew out, Tanner Holliman walked and James Broderick was hit by a pitch. Parker Haskin and Connor Coolahan then walked to plate a run. Adam Berry followed with a single that scored two more and then Elon closed the frame with a run on a wild pitch.
• Seeing the lead trimmed to one at 5-4, Akron quickly answered in the top of the fifth with two more runs. The Zips added another in the sixth and the lead eventually ballooned to 12-4.
• In the bottom of the ninth, Elon added a run when pinch hitter Andrew DiMisa walked. An error moved him to second and he scored on a Broderick single up the middle for the final 12-5 result.

 
STATS AND NOTES

• Adam Berry led Elon with two hits, going 2-for-4, and added two RBI. He also stole a base. The hits were the first of his Elon career after transferring from Pasco-Hernando State College.
• Elon walked nine times and added two hit by pitches. Kenny Mallory Jr. and Connor Coolahan both walked twice with Coolahan also adding a hit by pitch.
• Luke Stephenson and Parker Haskin each had a double.
• Elon pitchers struck out 12 Akron batters, led by Joe Savino with 5 K's over 2.1 innings.
• Noah Carter struck out two in an inning of work.
• Sean O'Connell closed the game for Elon by retiring both batters he faced.
• Charlie Granatell now has a three-game hit streak and has recorded a hit in five of Elon's six games this year.
• Stephenson is 3-for-8 on the weekend after opening the season 1-for-12 batting.

 
UP NEXT

• Elon and Akron close out the weekend series Sunday at 1 p.m. at Latham Park.
• The Phoenix will then play a home-and-home series with UNCG as Elon hosts the Spartans Tuesday at 4 p.m. and then the two teams square off in Greensboro 24 hours later.
• Elon will host Quinnipiac March 3-5 for the start of a seven-game homestand.