March 25, 2011

Box Score

ELON, N.C. - The Samford baseball team built an early six-run lead, but could not hold it as the Bulldogs dropped a 10-8 decision at Elon in the first game of a three-game Southern Conference series Friday at Latham Park.

C.K. Irby (1-1) took the loss on the mound for Samford, pitching 1.0 inning, giving up three runs on four hits. Michael Johnson led Samford at the plate, going 3-for-5. Kevin Putkonen and Stephen Ballard drove in two runs each in 1-for-4 performances at the plate. Tyler Filliben went 2-for-4 for the Bulldogs.

Elon's John Brebbia (4-0) pitched 1.1 innings, allowing no runs and no hits to earn the win on the mound. Jake Luce went 3-for-5 with three RBI to lead the Phoenix at the plate. Scott Carcaise went 4-for-4 with an RBI. Alex Swim, Neal Pritchard and Garrett Koster had two hits each for Elon.

Samford jumped on top first with four runs in the top of the first inning. Saxon Butler, Brandon Miller, Putkonen and Ballard each drove in a run to give the Bulldogs an early 4-0 lead.

Elon plated one run in the bottom of the first inning to cut the Samford lead to 4-1. A double by Swim drove in Niko Fraser for the Phoenix's first run of the game.

Samford added three runs in the second inning to push its lead to 7-1. Tripp Swann, Putkonen and Ballard drove in a run each to give Samford the six-run lead.

The Phoenix plated two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to make the score 7-3. Luce drove in a run, and Carcaise scored on a Samford error in the fourth inning.

Elon added three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to pull to within one run at 7-6. Koster drove in two runs, and Carcaise drove in one to cut Samford's lead to one run.

Samford plated a run in the top of the seventh inning to make the score 8-6. Ballard was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Ballard later scored on an error after Johnson singled to left field to give Samford a two-run lead.

Elon came back with four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to take a 10-8 lead. Luce drove in two runs and Pritchard drove in two more to give the Phoenix the lead for good.

Samford falls to 15-9 overall and 5-2 in SoCon play with the loss. Elon improves to 16-8 overall and 7-0 in league play.

Samford and Elon will continue their three-game series with a game Saturday at 10 a.m. (CT). The game can be heard locally on WVSU-FM 91.1, or worldwide on the internet at www.samford.edu/wvsu. Fans can also follow the game online via GameTracker at the link below.

GameTracker For Saturday's Game