Fueled by a two-run single from Chris Bresnahan in the eighth inning, Elon outscored UNCW 3-0 over the final three innings to slip past the Seahawks 10-7 in the second game of the NCAA Charlottesville Regional on Friday at Davenport Field.
The Seahawks tied the game at seven with two runs in the sixth, but Elon regained the lead in the top of the seventh. Bresnahan singled off Batts to open the frame and moved into scoring position on an errant pickoff attempt by reliever Justin Livengood. Bresnahan moved to third on a misplayed bunt and scored one batter later on a ground ball to third to give Elon the lead at 8-7.
UNCW starter Mat Batts (9-4) dropped his third consecutive start after allowing eight runs, seven earned, over six-plus innings.
Terence Connelly and Corey Dick had three hits apiece. Connelly reached base safely in all five plate appearances, scored twice and knocked in two. Andy Austin added two hits and also drove in two runs.
The Seahawks face Army at 1 p.m. Saturday in an elimination game. Jordan Ramsey (6-6) will make the start for UNCW, while the Black Knights counter with Alex Robinett. Elon (33-28) plays UVA at 6 p.m.
Sharks fall to Edenton in late innings
The Wilmington Sharks lost a hard-fought game on the road to the Edenton Steamers on Friday night. The game involved good pitching, small ball, and timely hitting as the Steamers drew the final blow as Josh Hampton hit a blooper into shallow center just out of the reach of Zach MacAneney to score Laz Villa for the win.
The Sharks got on the board in the sixth when Cambric Moye hit a towering two-run home run over the field fence to tie up the game. The Steamers regained the lead when Derek Justice came in on relief and walked in Villa to give Edenton a 3-2 lead.
Matt Pollock bunted his way on in the ninth for the Sharks and stole back-to-back bases to put the potential game tie running in scoring position when hitter Chance Shepard beat out an infield single to tie the game up 3-3.
In the bottom half of the inning, Josh Hampton came up with the game winning hit to move the Steamers record to 2-2 on the young season. With the loss, the Sharks move to 2-2 on the year and return home Saturday to take on the Morehead City Marlins, with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch at Buck Hardee Field.
