The Elon University baseball team completed a three-game sweep of The Citadel with two wins in a doubleheader March 30 at Latham Park. The Phoenix took the first game 14-7 and the second 4-3.
The long ball was big for Elon in both games, with Tyler McVicar, Casey Jones and Chris King all hitting home runs. McVicar hit a solo shot in the fourth inning of the first game, while Jones and King both went yard in the second game.
Leading 1-0, Elon plated six runs in the fifth inning to put the first game away. Ryan Cooper singled to begin the inning, then advanced to third on two errors. Jones singled him in, and Sebastian Gomez singled in Jones. Chris Hall singled and Danny Lynch walked to load the bases. McVicar then drew a walk to score a run, and a fielder’s choice brought in another. An error and a fielder’s choice scored the last two runs of the frame.
The Citadel answered with four runs in the top of the sixth, but Elon came right back with four in its half of the inning. After Gomez singled, stole second and advanced to third on an error, Chris Hall doubled him home. Nick Zammarelli reached on a single and proceeded to steal second. Blaine Bower singled in Hall, and Zammarelli came in on a sacrifice fly by King. Quinn Bower then singled to put runners at the corners for Cooper, who doubled both runs in.
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The Bulldogs scored three runs in the eighth, but the Phoenix added two of its own on an error and a double by Cooper.
Michael Elefante moved to 5-0 after going 5.2 innings in which he allowed three runs on eight hits with two strikeouts. Cooper went 4-for-6 with three runs batted in.
In game two, Jones’ home run and an RBI single by Cooper put Elon ahead 2-1 after three. The Citadel tied it with an RBI double in the sixth, but the Phoenix went ahead for good with two runs in its half of the frame. King homered, and Andy Moore singled in a run.
Jake Stalzer earns the win after six-plus innings of work. He allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits with four walks and two strikeouts. Ryan Pennell picked up his seventh save after 1.1 scoreless innings of work.
Elon improves to 17-10 on the season with a 6-3 mark in the Southern Conference. The Phoenix will host midweek games with North Carolina A&T State University April 1 and Campbell University April 2.