Game Day - Regional!

[elonpride]

Go phoenix!!!!

The following is from the UNCW site. Looks like we'll see their ace tonight. I hope these bats stay hot, because this dude is lights out.


www.uncwsports.com/ViewArticl...CLID=208010460

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia – The Seahawks retake the field on Friday when they face off with longtime rival and future Colonial Athletic Association member Elon at 6 p.m. in the second game of the Charlottesville Regional at Davenport Field.

The Seahawks and the Phoenix met twice this season with UNCW taking both games. This will also be another installment of the two teams in NCAA tournament play as both competed in the Cary Regional in 2008 with the Seahawks earning wins in both games at the USA Baseball Complex.

Junior Mat Batts (9-3, 3.07 ERA) will get the start for the Seahawks while the Phoenix counter with righthander Kyle Webb (7-3, 3.66 ERA).

While the Seahawks earned an at-large bid, the Phoenix barreled their way through the Southern Conference tournament with five straight wins following a tournament opening loss. ELon announced its plans to depart the SoCon last Thursday during the conference tournament. The Phoenix will join the CAA for the 2014-15 academic year and become the second school to leave the conference for the CAA. College of Charleston enters the CAA next academic year.

Elon and UNCW have a long history spanning 50 games and dating back to 1964 with the Seahawks holding a 29-21 advantage in the all-time series.

The winner of the game will play at 6 p.m. on Saturday against the winner of the Virginia-Army game while the losers of those respective games will play an elimination game at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Stay up to date with game times and dates at UNCWsports.com and on twitter @uncwbaseball.

[ElonPhan]

Let's go Phoenix! Need a strong outing from Webb tonight. Keep up the strong play, Elon!

[bhill483]

This should be a good game. I had heard UNCW may hold the ace for the second game, but I bet they realized they couldn't afford to look past Elon. If Webb has his stuff going and the bats are still hot from last weekend we could come away with a win.

The game should be streaming on ESPN3.com as part of ESPN running this Bases Loaded package with every single game of the NCAA tourney this year. I know not everyone has access to that site, but you can watch if you do. Otherwise we will have radio for free from elonphoenix.com

[bhill483]

Also, just looked at some stats for Mat Batts, UNCW's ace - he has great season stats with that 9-3 record and 3.07 ERA, but he is hittable as well. It isn't like he is lights out every single game - it is a mix of 9 innings with no runs and 4-6 innings with a bunch of runs. I believe a patient approach at the plate to get the pitch count up would go a long ways.

[euphoenix99]

I was hoping to go up there, but just didn't have the time this weekend. Will definitely be tuned in on ESPN3 tonight though. News 14 Carolina had a little segment on all the NC schools in the tourney and they talked about the Elon vs UNCW matchup. Hopefully they still are riding the momentum from last weekend.

Go Phoenix!

[bhill483]

Great game so far! Scored 2 early. UNCW got 3 in the bottom half of same innning and got 2 more unearned runs in the 5th. Then some clutch 2 out hits in the 6th give Elon the lead back - bases loaded double by Alvarez to score 3 and tie it followed by a jack to left by Leathers.

Currently Elon up 7-5 going to bottom of 6th.

[bhill483]

Trouble keeping a lead - gave up that 2 run lead as UNCW ties it in bottom half of the 6th. Looking good at the plate and on the base paths though so got a run in top of the 7th.

Webb went 5.2 and into the pen now so looking for a good outing from MacDonald.

[bhill483]

MacDonald gets a 1-2-3 inning in the 7th - first time all night that Elon scored in an inning and didn't give it right back. Tacked a couple more runs on in the 8th...

Going to the bottom of the 8th leading 10-7

[elon1985]

Take the first game 10-7.....WELL DONE ELON!!!

[bhill483]

MacDonald made it interesting there in the 9th - loading the bases but then gets the ground out to end it.

Great win - Bring on the Hoos! It will be a tough matchup but the bats are hot and hopefully Meddick can give a solid outing. UVa didn't exactly light it up today, only beating Army 2-1.

[elon1985]

UNCW is a good team that took both games during the season; this was a sweet win. UVA will be tough, but the boys seem to be playing with a lot of confidence right now. 9th was a bit of a nail-biter, but sure helped having a 3 run lead. Keep it up Phoenix!

(kind of nice too, beating a future conference mate...just had to say it)

[ElonPhan]

Great win tonight. Proud of the guys for hanging in there. Go elon!