Baseball Loses Opener at Elon

ELON, N.C. – Chris Shehan (Strasburg, PA/Lampeter-Strasburg) matched his season-high of four hits, including a home run, but Georgia Southern dropped a 9-6 decision at Elon Friday night (April 4). The Southern Conference series opening loss dropped the Eagles to 16-12 overall and 4-3 in league play.

Shehan started the Eagles’ offense when he dropped a two-out double down the right field line during the first inning. Griffin Benedict (Dunwoody/St. Pius) followed with a RBI bloop single into centerfield.

Elon came right back in its half of the frame, scoring three runs on four singles and a RBI groundout.

The Eagles exploded for four runs off Steven Hensley in the second inning. Brian Pierce (Roswell/Roswell) reached on a one-out error. Jeremy Beckham (Griffin/Griffin) singled then Ty Wright (Montrose/West Laurens) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. David Richardson (Dahlonega/Lumpkin County) worked the count full before drawing a RBI walk. Shehan lined a RBI single to left then Benedict ripped a 2-run double to the left field gap for a 5-3 lead.

The Phoenix (23-7, 8-2) loaded the bases with one down in the third. Neal Pritchard hit a sacrifice fly then Dallas Tarleton hit a RBI single to tie the score. In the fifth Cory Harrilchak hit an inside-the-park home run then Harry Austin lined a two-out RBI single for a 7-5 lead.

Shehan hit his team-leading 11th home run, a solo shot with two down in the sixth to cut the deficit to one run.

Two errors in the seventh inning and a two-out hit by Austin made it an 8-6 score. Mike Lobacz hit a RBI double in the eighth for the final margin.

GS threatened in the eighth. Beckham drew a leadoff walk then Shehan lined a two-out single to put runners on the corners. Benedict hit a shallow fly ball, and the shortstop Pritchard slipped and fell on the play. However, he made the catch lying on his back to end the inning.

Benedict and Parker added two hits apiece. Benedict also accounted for three RBI and Shehan drove in two runs.

Drew Murray (LaGrange/LaGrange) was charged for seven runs on nine hits in 4.2 innings. He walked three and struck out two, but lost for the first time this year (3-1).

The Eagles touched up Hensley for a season-high six runs. The junior, who boasted a 1.79 ERA entering the game, did enough to remain undefeated at 6-0. He walked one and struck out seven. The bullpen threw three scoreless innings. Thomas Girdwood picked up his seventh save. Harrilchak finished with four hits.

Category: Baseball

Published on Friday, 04 April 2008 00:02