High Point exploded for four runs in the eighth inning to break an 8-8 tie and had to weather a three-run Elon homer in the bottom of the ninth, but held on to down the Phoenix, 12-11, Sunday afternoon at Latham Park.
The victory gives the Panthers (19-21, 6-6 Big South) a series victory over Elon (26-12, 7-5). High Point has now taken three of four series this season against Big South Conference foes.
It also means the Panthers took two of three games on the road against a team which has beaten No. 10-ranked Wake Forest, No. 20-ranked East Carolina, and won two of three at defending national-champion Miami.
HPU took a 5-0 lead after an Andy Harney solo homer in the first inning and a four-run second inning after a two-out, two-run double by Colin Cronin and RBI singles by Chris Vinar and Harney.
Elon countered with three runs in the 4th and 5th innings off HPU starter Kevin Burch to take tie the score at 6-6. High Point managed a single run in the top of the 6th, but the Phoenix plated two in the bottom of the inning to take an 8-6 advantage.
The Panthers hit back-to-back homers for the second time in the series in the 7th, when John Cavanaugh and Andy Harney connected on successive at-bats to left field to tie things up at 8-8.
HPU continued to pound the baseball and eventually broke through for four runs in the 8th to take a 12-8 lead. A costly error by Elon pitcher Adam Acosta opened the door. Vinar hit a slow roller to the mound, and Acosta's throw was over the head of first baseman Jim Swenson. Justin Keegan and Ryan Thiede scored on the misplay.
A double by John Cavanaugh and single by Andy Harney completed the scoring for the Panthers.
Pinch-hitter Wes Miller hit a three-run homer off HPU's Clayton Gordner in the bottom of the 9th to cut the deficit to 12-11, but Gordner, who took a line drive off his shin in the 7th and battled through it, retired Barry Tejeda, Taylor Stewart, and Morgan Frazier to pick up the victory (2-2). Acosta (3-2) took the loss for Elon.
Harney's two homers give him 10 round-trippers for the season.
The Panthers face Campbell in Buies Creek Tuesday night at 7:00 pm before returning home to meet North Carolina A&T on Wednesday at 3:00 pm.
