While coming from behind is something that’s not foreign to the Elon University baseball team, the hole it dug itself Feb. 18 was too big to overcome.
The Phoenix fell behind 4-0 to No. 6 North Carolina State University in the first inning and 7-1 in the second inning and never recovered, falling 12-7 to the Wolfpack at Latham Park.
Elon sophomore starter Tyler Manez was hit up for four runs in the first inning after he was one strike away from escaping a two on, one out jam. After a strikeout, Manez had second baseman Logan Ratledge down 1-2 but hit him with the next pitch.
A passed ball scored the first run, followed by a 2-RBI single from first baseman Jake Armstrong. Designated hitter Kyle Cavanaugh added to that and before one could blink, NC State was up 4-0.
“That wasn’t our game,” said Elon junior center fielder Ryan Cooper. “We didn’t play the way we should have. It was demoralizing, but the way we stuck in there shows our heart.
The Phoenix answered with a run in the bottom half of the first on an RBI-groundout from Cooper. Leadoff hitter and junior right fielder Quinn Bower opened the inning with an infield single, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch before crossing the plate.
While Manez was pulled after one inning for senior Jacob Baker, the Wolfpack didn’t let up. NC State plated three more runs in the second, two from a triple by left fielder Bubby Riley. Riley then scored on a RBI-groundout by Ratledge.
“I still thought with a few big hits here and there that we had a chance to stay in there,” said Elon head coach Mike Kennedy. “We just couldn’t get a big hit to get back in it and then it kind of got out of hand for us.”
Elon only committed one error, but Phoenix pitchers walked seven batters and hit five more. NC State left 13 runners on the base, but that was no problem for the Wolfpack.
“On the mound, we know we have to throw strikes,” Kennedy said. “If we don’t throw strikes, we’re going to be in trouble. All day, we walked guys, got behind in counts, and put them in hitting counts.”
Elon added one run in each the third and fifth inning, one on a home run to right by junior first baseman Tyler McVicar and the other on an RBI-groundout by junior third baseman Casey Jones. But NC State answered right back with four runs in the sixth after an RBI-single by Cavanaugh, a bases loaded walk to catcher John Magnum, a fielder’s choice and an RBI-single by right fielder Brett Austin.
The Phoenix shuffled players in and out of the lineup because, according to Kennedy, lots of players are competing for positions. The newcomers and subs kept Elon alive, though, adding one run in the sixth and three in the ninth.
“Offensively, we’ve got a chance to be really good,” Kennedy said. “But it’s going to take us a little bit of time. We have a chance to be very competitive with the bat in our hands.”
On the mound, Manez and Baker each last just one inning and combined to allow seven runs (five earned) on four hits with two walks and one strikeout. Freshman Graham Edwards saw his first career action for Elon, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks in three-plus innings of work. Freshman Dimitri Lettas went one inning and gave up two runs, while sophomore Grant Fisher allowed one run in two innings and freshman Brandon Kacer worked a scoreless ninth for the Phoenix.
Sophomore catcher Danny Lynch singled in a run and freshman Nick Zammarelli plated two on a single in the ninth to cap off the scoring.
NC State starter Brad Stone earns the win after five and one-third innings of work in which he allowed four runs on six hits while striking out four.
“I just told our guys, I’m upset we lost,” Kennedy said, “and you’ve got to be that was as well. I don’t care who we’re playing. When we lose, that’s not a good thing. That’s got to be our mentality as a team — that it’s not O.K. to lose.”
Elon falls to 2-1 on the season and will host Wagner College in a three game series Feb. 21-23 at Latham Park.