Elon, N.C.- Declan Lavelle and the Elon Phoenix (6-9) struck early and no-hit the Charleston Southern Buccaneers (11-3) for five innings Sunday afternoon, but it was not enough. The Buccaneers finished off the weekend series with their third straight win over the Phoenix with a 7-5 victory.
 
Declan Lavelle no-hit the Bucs for five innings during Sunday's game but ultimately picked up the loss on Sunday. Sam Nomura continued his strong return with a scoreless ninth innings with a strikeout.
 
The Phoenix bats continued to pepper Buccaneer pitching with another double-digit hit day. Jackson Alford led the Phoenix with two singles and a double in the loss. Ryan Sprock also put together another multi-hit day and drove in a pair of runs in the setback.
 
 
How It Happened

• For the first time in the series, the Phoenix would grab the lead first. After a leadoff double from Jackson Alford, the Phoenix would take an early lead following a Kenny Mallory Jr. single up the middle to drive in Alford.
• Declan Lavelle began to go to work in the third inning against CSU. After striking out the last batter of the second inning, the graduate would retire nine straight hitters going into the sixth inning.
• In the sixth inning, the Buccaneer bats woke up. With a collection of singles and an RBI triple, CSU put up five runs in the top half of the sixth to take a 5-1 lead.
• After a run in the seventh for the Bucs, the Phoenix responded with force. Back-to-back one out singles from Jake Hajdu and Alford put two runners on for Ryan Sprock. Sprock laced an RBI single through the left side which scored both runners. Not to be outdone, Vince Fattore laced a double into left center field which scored both Sprock and Alex Duffey which cut the Buccaneer lead to just one.
• Charleston Southern would add an insurance run in the eighth to take a 7-5 lead.
• The Phoenix had opportunities in the eighth and ninth to potentially tie the score with the tying run at the plate but could not find the crucial hit and fell by the 7-5 tally to CSU.

 
Notes and Stats

• The Phoenix falls to 6-9 on the season following the Sunday afternoon loss.
• Declan Lavelle had a great first five innings, no-hitting the Buccaneers through the first five frames. Lavelle now drops to 2-2 on the season and put away seven batters via the punchout Sunday.
• Jackson Alford added another multi-hit game to his team leading total. His two bunt singles and a double were team highs for the Phoenix Sunday.
• Ryan Sprock both hit and pitched against CSU on Sunday. Ryan Sprock allowed one earned run in an inning of relief while striking out a batter and singled twice in the loss.
• Catcher Alex Duffey reached base three times with a single, two walks and a run scored in the loss.

 
Up Next
The Phoenix returns to Latham Park Tuesday for a midweek matchup with the Radford Highlanders. First pitch on Tuesday will be at 4 PM.