March 9, 2009

Box Score

ELON, NC - La Salle University Baseball jumped out early on Elon, but could not hold on as the Phoenix took the first game of the two-game series, 10-8, Monday night at Latham Park.

Justin Handler went 2-for-4 in the game and drove in three runs, while Jeff Flax, TJ Chism, and Chris Umstead each also had a pair of hits. Jon Gyles knocked in two runs, while every Explorer besides Handler crossed the plate.

After a wild first inning in which La Salle scored seven runs - the most in a single inning since April 21, 2006 at Charlotte (seven runs in the seventh) - Elon responded for seven of its own to tie the score in the bottom of the frame.

The Phoenix (6-4) took a 9-7 lead in the second on a two-run homer by Mike Melillo, and increased their advantage to three with a solo home run by Bennett Davis in the sixth.

The Explorers scored a single run in the seventh - Umstead on a Handler double - to make it 10-8, but would not get closer.

La Salle (4-4) equaled Elon's hit total with 12, and had base runners in every inning except the eighth; however, the Explorers hit into three double plays and also left 11 men on base.

There were nine pitchers used in the game, and La Salle used five. Eric Van Wyk (0-1) suffered the loss, while Bobby Kennedy (1-2) won the contest and Thomas Girdwood earned his third save of the season.

Throwing 1.1 innings of scoreless relief was Dennis Burge, Sean Kennedy went two innings and allowed just one run, and Craig Miller pitched two scoreless innings, striking out five.

The two teams will play another game on Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 4 PM.