After losing Friday's series opener at the College of Charleston 11-3, the Elon University baseball ended the Cougars' 10-0 undefeated record in Colonial Athletic Association play with a 4-1 win on Saturday.
The Phoenix offense developed a rhythm in the second and third innings by collecting four runs on five hits.
Senior center fielder Quinn Bower put Elon on the scoreboard in the top of the second inning with an RBI single to left to bring in freshman designated hitter James Venuto. The Phoenix carried this momentum into the top of the third with a leadoff triple from junior third baseman Danny Lynch followed by an RBI single from senior second baseman Casey Jones.
The Phoenix extended its lead to four later in the inning after a two-run homer to left field by senior right fielder Ryan Cooper.
But Elon's success extended into its pitching rotation.
Junior starting pitcher Michael Elefante delivered a brilliant performance across six innings for the Phoenix.
In the bottom of the third, the Cougars got on the board with a two-out RBI single from junior Alex Pastorius. But the College of Charleston could not generate another run from that point forward.
While Elefante struck out four batters and surrendered a walk, four hits and an earned run, he notched the win thanks to his bullpen.
Sophomore Nick Beaulac appeared in relief in the top of the seventh and pitched 1.2 innings until an 80-minute rain delay halted the game. After the delay, Elon head coach Mike Kennedy elected to bring in sophomore Chris Hall. Hall surrendered a two-out single in the bottom of the eighth but got out of the jam with a called strikeout. He pitched in the top of the ninth but needed to be replaced after giving up a leadoff double.
As junior Joe McGillicuddy entered the game in a high-pressure situation, he retired three straight batters to his fifth save of the season and seal the 4-1 win for Elon.
The Phoenix will look to win its rubber game tomorrow a 1 p.m. against the Cougars. Elon improves to 16-17 (7-4 CAA) with the win while the College of Charleston drops to 23-8 (10-1 CAA).