Box Score BOX SCORE

Eight pitchers combined for a two-hit shutout to lead the High Point University baseball team to a 3-0 win over Elon Tuesday at Latham Park. Sophomore Ryan Retz earned his second save of the season and was 2-3 at the plate.

The Panthers pitching staff kept Elon hitless for 6-2/3 innings before Cyle Rasmus broke through with a single off HPU's sixth pitcher of the day, Corey Swickle. Zach Tessier drove in two of High Point's runs and Steve Antolik and Retz had two hits each.

“When you come on the road against an outstanding team like Elon you never expect a shutout,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “The entire pitching staff was tremendous tonight and we made great plays defensively. The hits didn't come easy but we found ways to get the job done. We can enjoy the win tonight and start getting ready for a tough weekend against Coastal Carolina.”

The Panthers improved to 19-20 for the year, splitting the series with Elon. For the second straight year each team won on the road.

Drew Geissinger reached on an error by Elon shortstop Neal Pritchard in the first inning. Antolik picked up his 32rd RBI of the season with a double to right center field to score Geissinger from first and give the Panthers an early 1-0 lead.

Al Yevoli issued three walks in the first inning but got out of the jam without allowing a run. Kyle Mahoney threw Niko Fraser out trying to steal second for the first out of the inning and Yevoli got two fly ball outs to left field to strand two Elon runners. Yevoli got two quick outs in the second before walking Seth Canipe and ending his day on the mound. Kyle Wigmore came in and retired Ben Scott on a liner to third to end the inning. Geissinger made the catch diving toward the bag to record the out.

The Panthers added a run in the second to make it a 2-0 lead. Retz singled to left field and stole second. With two outs Tessier singled through the left side to drive in Retz.

Wigmore went 1-1/3 innings of relief with two strikeouts. He was followed by John Maloney and Nick Schumacher who each pitched a perfect inning with one strikeout a piece.

Murray White IV battled back from an 0-2 count to earn a leadoff walk in the sixth inning. Tessier drove in his second run of the game with a groundout to score White and extend High Point's lead to 3-0.

The Panther pitching staff kept Elon hitless until the seventh inning when Cyle Rasmus singled to left field with two outs off Corey Swickle. Swickle struck out pinch hitter Jake Luce to end the inning and strand Rasmus at first base.

Elon pinch hitter Ryan Kinsella led off the eighth inning with a double off Spencer Andrews but Kinsella was tagged out trying to take third on a groundout by Harry Austin. Despite a two-out walk to Neal Pritchard, Andrews got out of the inning without allowing a run.

Antolik finished the night 2-3 with two intentional walks and Tessier was 1-3 with a walk and one RBI. Sal Pezzino extended his hit streak to 13 games with a bunt single in the seventh inning.

The Panthers host Coastal Carolina this weekend in a Big South Conference series.