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Freshman Mike Mercurio came up with a two-out single in the ninth inning, and came around to score the game winning run over Elon Wednesday at Latham Park. Matt Ganther lined a ball off the third baseman's chest and the ball ricocheted in to left field allowing Mercurio to score on the error. Kyle Mahoney added an RBI-single in the inning to lift HPU to a 6-4 win.

“This is a great win because it was solid baseball,” said assistant coach Bryan Peters. “It was a great win because we got contributions from the entire team in a game that was close the whole time. It was a great win because we found a way to win. It was also the best outing for Mikel Rodenberg. It was a solid save in a controlled fashion.”

Sophomore Kyle Starnes picked up the win to move to 2-1 on the season, pitching 1-2/3 innings of relief, allowing just one hit. Rodenberg earned his seventh save of the season with two strikeouts in the ninth inning.

With the game still deadlocked at 4-4 in the top of the ninth and two outs Mercurio singled through the right side, bringing on an Elon pitching change. Jim Stokes came out of the bullpen and walked Nate Roberts, bringing Matt Gantner to the plate. Gantner lined the ball off the third baseman's chest and the ball ricocheted in to left field to score Mercurio on the error. Roberts would also score on a single by Mahoney to give HPU the 6-4 lead heading in to the bottom of the ninth with with Elon's 5-6-7 batters coming up.

“I was looking for a fastball and he made a mistake,” Gantner said. “He left the fastball over the plate and I smoked it. This is a big win for us, we needed it.”

Freshman Zach Tessier hit his first career home run over the left field wall of Latham Park to give HPU a 2-1 lead. The homer scored Max Fulginiti who had singled to left field with one out in the second inning.

HPU starter Al Yevoli struggled with his control in the first inning. With two outs he walked two batters and gave up a basehit to load the bases. Alex Maruri earned the third free pass of the inning to walk in a run.

With two outs in the fifth inning Gantner hit a double to left field, his 21st double of the season. With the double he ties Gerald Culler's HPU record for doubles in a season set in 1979.

Yevoli lasted four innings, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts and six walks. He was replaced to begin the fifth inning by freshman Wes Torrez.

Torrez gave up a home run and a double in the inning, putting Elon ahead 4-2 before he was relieved by freshman Kyle Wigmore, making his first pitching appearance of the season. Wigmore took the mound with two outs in the inning and got Niko Fraser to pop up in foul territory. Mercurio made a sliding catch in foul territory to record the third out.

The Panthers answered Elon's three-run fifth inning with two runs in the top of the sixth to knot the game at 4-4. Fulginiti doubled down the left field line to lead off the inning and moved to third on a pinch-hit single by Sal Pezzino. A wild pitch by Elon reliever John Brebbia brought Fulginiti in to score and moved Pezzino to third base. Andrew Bartlett hit a bloop single over the first baseman's head to score Pezzino and tie the game at 4-4.

Wigmore recorded the only 1-2-3 inning of the game, setting the Phoenix down, in order, in the sixth inning. He struggled in the seventh inning, giving up a single and two walks to load the bases with only one out. Kyle Starnes came out of the bullpen in the bases loaded situation and got Ryan Adams to ground in to a 6-4-3 to end the inning and preserve the tie game.

“I threw two bullpens this week but I haven't really pitched since high school,” Wigmore said. “I just came in and threw strikes. It felt really good to be back on the mound. I was calm and composed.'

Rodenberg got Neal Pritchard and Matt Hinson to strike out swinging and despite a walk to Scott Riddle was able to get Seth Canipe to fly out to end the game.

HPU improves to 19-21 on the season and will host Big South rival UNC Asheville this weekend for a three-game series. Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.