Baseball
Elon vs. Northwestern, 12-5 (Win)
Elon came from behind twice to take their first game of the 2010 NCBA Spring Training Showcase by defeating Northwestern 12-5. 1B Jamie Hawkins (Sr.) roped a two-run double to left-center field to tie the game at 5 in the bottom of the 5th before scoring the go-ahead run on a go-ahead fielder’s choice by CF Aaron Moger (So.). The Elon bats truly came alive in the 6th, however, as the team sent 11 men to the plate and scored 6 times, allowing RHP Ryan Swanzey (Sr.) to coast to the victory, throwing 2.2 hitless innings of relief. Every Elon batter reached base safely at least once in the contest.
Elon vs. Drexel, 6-0 (Win)
Only one opposing hitter reached second base during a 6-0 shutout of Drexel. RHP Kyle Meredith (Fr.) opened eyes in his first ever pitching appearance for the team. Meredith went the distance and racked up four strikeouts in a dominant performance. Elon’s offense struggled to get going early, collecting just one hit through the first five innings on a Kevin Monahan (Sr.) single. The sixth began with back-to-back singles from 1B Jamie Hawkins (Sr.) and 3B Derrick Burnett (So.). Sloppy defense and a Monahan bunt single plated Elon’s first two runs before lead-off hitter and SS Sean Zapatka (Fr.) stroked a two-run single into left. Elon added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh on RBI singles by C Chris Esser (Fr.) and Zapatka.
Elon vs. University of Illinois, 15-0 (Loss)
Wednesday’s game against the University of Illinois was a forgettable one, as Elon struggled on both sides of the ball against the 8th ranked team in the nation. RHP Derrick Burnett (So.) got the start for Elon and threw better than his numbers suggested, surrendering four earned runs in four innings of work. RHP Steven MacDougall (So.) got through an easy inning before a combination of sloppy defense and fatigue blew the game open in the 6th. The team did its best in a very tough matchup, and prepared itself to bounce back from a tough defeat.
Elon vs. U. of Colorado, 6-5 (Win)
Elon bounced back from deficits of 4-1 (5th) and 4-3 (6th) to earn a 6-5 upset over the 20th ranked team in the nation with just a dozen players available. Elon’s solid defensive showing gave Swanzey a strong line (6 IP, 2 ER) despite a depleted arsenal and no strikeouts. CF Aaron Moger sparked a rally in the 5th with a surprise bunt single and drove home the go-ahead run in the 6th after 3B Chris Esser (Fr.) roped a single to plate DH Derrick Burnett (So.) with the tying run. 2B Jason Tessari (Jr.) gave Elon a crucial insurance run in lacing his third hit of the game to continue the rally. Closer Jay Struck (So.), who drove several hours to play in the tournament finale, came on to earn the save with a couple big strikeouts scattered around a pair of singles. Overall, Elon showed a lot of resiliency, received contributions from everyone on the roster and all over the lineup, and most importantly put the team above any one individual. The results reflected all of these important concepts, and Elon fully expects for this kind of play to continue in next April where they start the month against Wake Forest.
Ultimate Frisbee
Elon began the College Terminus tournament on Saturday, March 20, by playing the No. 2 seed, Williams. They played well and won with a score of 13-10. Afterward, they played three games against Pennsylvania, Tufts, and Ohio. The Pennsylvania game ending in a 13-9 loss. Tufts and Ohio both resultedin 13-5 losses. To finish the day, they faced Davidson, their section rival, for a shot at the championship. They won with a score of 13-8. On Sunday, March 21, they had a game against host team Georgia. It was a hard-fought game, but they managed to come away with a win of 13-8. The final game of the tournament against Ohio ended in a loss of 13-6. Elon Ultimate Frisbee’s next game will be April 17 and 18 at Sectionals in Greenville, North Carolina.
Will Dzugan and Katie Whittaker
Club Sports Staff