Box Score BOX SCORE
Photo Gallery

The High Point University baseball team gave up seven runs in the final two innings as the Panthers fell to Elon 8-3 on Tuesday at Williard Stadium.

Junior Brian Jones made the start for High Point, pitching five scoreless innings but didn't factor in to the decision. John Brebbia earned the win for Elon and Mikel Rodenberg got the loss.

Rodenberg took the ball in the eighth inning with no outs and two runners on. He struck out the first batter but Alex Swim singled up the middle, scoring one run. Matt Hinson came in to pinch hit for Elon and sent the first pitch he saw over the right centerfield wall and gave the Phoenix the 5-3 lead. Elon would tack on three more runs in the ninth for a final score of 8-3.

“First, hats off to Brian Jones who pitched a tremendous game,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “I wish we had taken advantage of some offensive situations early and given ourselves a little cushion. They had two big innings at the end and that will typically beat you and it did tonight.”

High Point got on the board in the second inning. With one out Kyle Mahoney single up the middle and advanced to second on a walk by Max Fulginiti. Freshman Andrew Bartlett singled up the middle scoring Mahoney from second for his first RBI of the season.

Pablo Rosario doubled over the centerfielder's head to lead off the third inning and moved to third when Murray White IV singled to left field. However, Elon starter Jared Kernodle caught Drew Geissinger looking and Matt Gantner struck out swinging before Mahoney flied to leftfield to end the inning, stranding Rosario at third base.

After struggling with his control in the first inning, surrendering a walk and hitting a batter, Jones made quick work of the Phoenix, allowing just two hits through the fourth inning on 67 pitches.

In the top of the fourth Harry Austin singled to right field for Elon's third hit of the game but was caught leaning too far off first. Jones got Justin Hilt to strike out swinging to end the fourth inning.

Junior Corey Swickle relieved Jones in the sixth inning. Jones finished the day with six strikeouts and two walks, allowing just three hits in five innings.

Niko Fraser and Neal Pritchard had back-to-back singles to lead off the sixth for Elon. Mike Melillo reached first base on a fielders choice and Fraser advanced to third before coach Cozart made another call to the bullpen. Sophomore transfer Kyle Starnes made his first appearance of the season but walked the first batter he faced. Alex Maruri came up next for the Phoenix and flied out to deep center allowing Fraser to score from third. Starnes got the final batter of the inning to strike out but not before Elon had tied the score at 1-1.

With one out in the seventh inning Steve Antolik doubled down the left field line and Mercurio was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Zach Tessier pinch hit for Rosario and single through the diving third baseman and shortstop, scoring Antolik and putting HPU up 2-1. It was Tessier's first collegiate hit and RBI. Elon pitcher Kyle Webb then plunked White to load the bases. A wild pitch scored Mike Mercurio from third and advaced White and Kyle Wigmore who came in to the game to pinch run for Wigmore.

High Point entered the eighth inning with the 3-1 advantage but Spencer Andrews allowed a single and walked a batter before Rodenberg came in to the game. Rodenberg allowed three home runs for the loss.

Bartlett finished the game 2-3 with an RBI and White went 2-4 with a double.

The Panthers (1-2) host Fairleigh Dickinson this weekend for a three game series, beginning Friday at 4 p.m. at Williard Stadium. It will be the first game of the season for the Knights.