Junior starting pitcher David Whitehead struggled early for the Elon University baseball team on Sunday, March 10. He lasted just 3.2 innings allowing five runs on five hits and six walks as the Phoenix dropped the rubber game of a three-game set with the College of Charleston Cougars.
“We usually don’t lose home series,” said Junior Sebastian Gomez after the game.
The Cougars got off to a hot start against Whitehead. Freshman second baseman Blake Butler singled and sophomore shortstop Gunnar Heidt doubled to start the game, making it second and third with no outs. Designated hitter Ben Boykin grounded out to drive in Butler to put the Cougars on the board first. After a strikeout, Whitehead then walked three and hit one batter in the span of four hitters to give the College of Charleston a 3-0 lead.
“I thought (Whitehead) had a great chance to get out of that inning with just one run,” Elon head coach Mike Kennedy said. “He just needed to finish the inning, but he got in trouble.”
Charleston extended their lead in the third inning when junior Brandon Murray hit a solo home run on the first pitch of the inning. Junior Jimmy Holton then singled in senior first baseman Tyler Jackson to make the lead 5-0 in favor of the Cougars.
Elon got one run back in the bottom half of the frame when junior first baseman Ryan Kinsella doubled to right center field to bring in junior Antonio Alvarez. The Elon shortstop had walked, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch by freshman right-hander Nathan Helvey.
With two outs and no one on, Charleston put together a two-out rally to tack on two more runs. Butler started it off with a single, and was driven in by a Heidt double. Boykin then singled in Heidt giving the Cougars a commanding 7-1 lead.
The Phoenix got the two runs right back in the bottom of the eighth with a two-run double from sophomore center fielder Quinn Bower that scored junior second baseman Will Leathers and junior third baseman Sebastian Gomez.
The Phoenix tried to rally in the bottom of the ninth down 7-3. After a leadoff double from Alvarez, designated hitter Chris King singled him home. With two on and one out, Lynch hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game.
“We definitely had the momentum late,” Gomez said. “But at that point, it’s almost too late.”
Neither starting pitcher lasted very long. Whitehead only lasted 3.2 while Charleston’s Helvey lasted just 2 2/3 innings. He walked five Elon batters, but only game up one run.
After starting midweek against North Carolina State University, Spencer Medick came out of the bullpen and gave the Phoenix some much needed long relief. The senior southpaw pitched 4.2 innings of relief, striking out 5 and only allowing 2 runs.
“He was great,” Kennedy said. “We contemplated starting him, but hindsight is 20/20. But he was very, very good.”
When asked about what his mindset was trying to keep the Phoenix in the game, Medick simply said, “attack the hitters and throw strikes.”
The Phoenix managed only six hits in the contest, but they did draw 10 walks.
“We just couldn’t get a big hit,” Kennedy said. “We just have too many guys struggling right now.”
Medick knows the potent Elon offense has the capabilities to bail the pitching staff, evidence of the 24 runs against N.C. State on Tuesday, March 5.
“I have faith in our offense,” Medick said. “It’s an offense that can explode at any time. We’ve got to get everybody on the same page and get everybody going. We can be real good.”
The win brings the College of Charleston to 10-6 on the season and 2-1 in the Southern Conference. The loss drops the Phoenix to 7-7 on the season and 2-4 in conference play.
“We got to bounce back, and quick because we have two games midweek,” said Gomez.
The Phoenix will travel to face UNC Wilmington on Tuesday before having a quick turnaround when Virginia Tech comes into town. First pitch in Wilmington is set for 5 p.m.