High Point gave up eight homeruns to #22 Elon as they lost a tough 10-9 decision Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference match up at Latham Park.  The win improves Elon to 37-14 on the year while High Point falls to 18-28.

Elon jumped out early scoring a run in the first three innings of the contest.  In the first, Harry Austin hit a chopper over the pitchers head for an infield single.  After a strikeout, Austin stole second base and Mike Melillo drew a two-out walk.  Bennett Davis hit a double down the leftfield line plating Austin and a great relay gunned down Melillo at the plate to end the inning.  Solo homeruns by Justin Hilt and Melillo in the second and third innings, respectively accounted for the next two runs giving the Phoenix a 3-0 lead.

High Point finally got on the board in the fifth inning started off with Kyle Mahoney doubling down the leftfield line.  Eric Marion hit a one-out double to rightfield plating Mahoney.  After a popout, Jeff Cowan ripped a down to leftfield bringing in Marion cutting the Elon lead to 3-2.

The Phoenix quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning hitting three more homeruns.  Chase Austin hit a leadoff homerun to centerfield just out of the reach of the jumping centerfielder.  A foul out and walk ensued before Dallas Tarleton hit a homerun to right-centerfield.  After another flyout, Neal Pritchard capped off inning with a homerun to centerfield as well.

HPU put up the next five runs including four in the sixth inning, answering back to Elon's effort.  Bill Manion was hit by a pitch starting the sixth inning and Billy Alvino smacked a two-run bomb on the first pitch he saw.  Max Fulginiti walked followed by a Mahoney single through the left side putting runners on first and second.  Drew Geissinger sacrificed the runners up a base and a bad throw allowed him to reach.  The ball was smacked out of the second baseman's glove as Geissinger ran through the back and as the ball scooted away, Fulginiti scored on the play.  Marion singled through the left side bringing in Mahoney.  After a strikeout, Cowan loaded the bases with a single.  Unfortunately a double play would end the chance for anymore runs. 

Manion started the seventh off with a double down the rightfield line.  Alvino hit a sharp single up the middle under a sliding second baseman tying the game at 7-7.  Mahoney singled to rightfield after a flyout and the two runners were moved up into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt.  Marion lined out to the second baseman for the final out of the inning.

The long ball came back and got the Panthers in the bottom of the eighth inning surrendering three more solo homeruns.  Pritchard and C. Austin hit their second homeruns of the game, while Cory Harrilchak hit his first of the contest. 

High Point mounted a rally in the ninth inning started with an Alvino single to the shortstop in the hole.  Fulginiti walked before being forced out at second base as Mahoney reached and Alvino moved up to third.  After a strikeout, Mahoney advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Alvino and Mahoney would score on a Marion single up the middle, cutting the lead to 10-9.  Pablo Rosario singled through the right side putting runners on the corners.  The game ended with a strikeout to the next batter.

Alvino, Mahoney and Marion all picked up three hits on the afternoon while Cowan was the other Panther with a multi-hit game on the afternoon.  Alvino and Marion drove in three and four runs, respectively.  Manion extended his hitting streak to 17-games.  Alvino is now up to 78 hits on the season, tying him for third best on the school's single-season list.  Wally Scott suffered the loss working 1.2 innings allowing two runs on two hits while picking up four strikeouts. 

Six different players for Elon hit a homerun for the hosts, as they upped their nation leading total to 124.  Pritchard (three hits) and C. Austin (two hits) were the only players with multi-hit performances for the Phoenix.  Ken Ferrer got the win improving to 8-1 on the season throwing a score 1.1 innings.  Thomas Girdwood registered his 15th save on the season working the ninth frame, allowing two runs on three this and a walk.

HPU will be back in action tomorrow, May 13 when it costs Western Carolina in its last home game of the season at Williard Stadium.  First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.