ELON, N.C. – Georgia Southern baseball scored first, but fell to the Elon Phoenix 8-5 on Thursday evening. The Eagles fall to 28-19 on the season, while the Phoenix improved to 18-18 on the year. 
 
The Eagles struck first in the top of the first, as Steven Curry scored on a wild pitch and Noah Ledford grounded out to short to take a 2-0 lead. The Phoenix would respond in the bottom half, homering twice to take a 3-2 lead. 
 
Elon would continue to add to the scoring in the second, fourth, fifth and sixth innings to extend their lead to 8-3. In the top of the eighth, Noah Ledford would crush a two-run home run to right center field to cut the lead to 8-5. 
 
Joe Sprake would close out the final four outs for the Phoenix to pick up his sixth save of the season. Tyler Owens would fall for the second consecutive week, allowing five earned runs on seven hits.
 
 
SCORING MOMENTS (GAME 1)
TOP 1^st | GS 2 – ELON 0 | Steven Curry scores on a wild pitch. Noah Ledford grounds out to short to score Mason McWhorter.
BOTTOM 1^st | GS 2 – ELON 3 | Elon puts up a three-spot in the bottom half.
BOTTOM 2^nd | GS 2 – ELON 4 | Elon homers to add to the lead.
BOTTOM 4^th | GS 2 – ELON 6 | Elon adds a pair in the fourth. 
TOP 5^th | GS 3 – ELON 6 | Steven Curry scores on a wild pitch.
BOTTOM 5^th | GS 3 – ELON 7 | Elon hits a sacrifice fly to add a run.
BOTTOM 6^th | GS 3 – ELON 8 | Elon adds another run in the sixth. 
TOP 8^th | GS 5 – ELON 8 | Noah Ledford crushes a two-run home run to right center field. 
 
 
GAME NOTES

• Noah Ledford hit his 12^th home run of the season; a two-run shot to right center field. 
• Tyler Owens fell to 6-2 on the season, allowing five earned runs on seven hits. 
• Christian Avant finished the day 3-for-3 with a walk and sacrifice bunt in the first. 
• Ben Johnson works two and 2/3 innings striking out four batters and not allowing a hit. 

 
 
UP NEXT
Georgia Southern and Elon will face off for game two of the three game set. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. from Latham Park.