Four-Run Fourth Leads Phoenix Past Blue Devils

Wednesday, February 15

Burlington, NC

3:00 PM

Duke University

Elon

Four-Run Fourth Leads Phoenix Past Blue Devils

2/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

By: Duke Sports Information

ELON, N.C. ? First baseman Chris Vasami's RBI-double capped a four-run fourth inning for the Elon Phoenix as they defeated the Duke Blue Devils, 9-3, on Wednesday afternoon at Latham Park. The Blue Devils fall to 2-3 on the season while the Phoenix improve to 2-2.

Leading 3-1 entering the bottom of the fourth, center fielder Ryan Addison hit a two-out single through the left side to start the four-run inning. After Addison stole second, second baseman Donny Jobe laced an RBI-single to left field. Shortstop Paul Bennett was then hit by a pitch, giving Elon runners at first and second. Left fielder Chris Price followed with a single up the middle to score Jobe and advance Bennett to third. Right fielder Grant Rembert then singled to the pitcher to score Bennett before Vasami's RBI-double down the right field line capped the four-run inning to give the Phoenix a six-run lead.

The Blue Devils cut the lead to 7-3 in the top of the sixth on a two-run double by third baseman Jonathan Nicolla. Shortstop Brett Bartles reached first on a throwing error by Bennett to start the inning before advancing to second on a single by designated hitter Jimmy Gallagher. After Elon starter Ryan Basham struck out left fielder Javier Socorro swinging, Nicolla lined the two-run double to right center, scoring Bartles and Gallagher.

Elon scored the first runs of the game in the bottom of the second. Rembert led off the inning by drawing a walk on four pitches. Vasami followed with a single to center to advance Rembert to third. With runners on the corners, third baseman Adam Weaver hit a dribbler back to the pitcher to score Rembert from third, giving the Phoenix a 1-0 lead. Catcher Drew Davis then singled to left before a walk to designated hitter Ryan Radford loaded the bases. Elon went up 2-0 when Addison hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Vasami.

In the bottom of the third inning, Bennett led off with a triple down the left field line. After Price was hit by a pitch, Bennett scored when Rembert grounded into a 6-3 double play, giving Elon a three-run lead.

Duke got on the board in the top of the fourth inning. After Gallagher grounded out to short, Socorro was hit by a Basham pitch. Basham then got Nicolla to fly to center before an errant pickoff attempt allowed Socorro to advance to third. Socorro then scored on a wild pitch to cut Elon's lead to 3-1.

Elon extended their lead to 8-3 in the bottom of the sixth. Bennett walked and stole second to give the Phoenix a runner in scoring position. After Duke reliever Daniel Palmer retired Price on a strikeout, Bennett advanced to third on an errant pickoff attempt before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Rembert.

The Phoenix added a run in the bottom of the seventh to cap the scoring on a two-out RBI-double by Bennett. Pinch hitter Robert Rodebaugh reached first on a throwing error before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by center fielder Austin Boehme. After Duke right-hander Jim Perry struck out Jobe swinging, Bennett laced the RBI-double to right center to score Rodebaugh.

Basham (1-0) earned his first victory of the season, holding the Blue Devils to three runs on six hits in 5.1 innings of work. Duke starter Jimmy Gallagher (1-1) suffered his first loss of the year, allowing three runs on three hits in 3.0 innings pitched.

Nicolla led the Blue Devils, going 1-for-4 at the plate with two RBI. Center fielder Jonathan Anderson, Gallagher, second baseman Adam Murray, first baseman Jeff Blickman and catcher Matt Williams all added one hit apiece for Duke.

Vasami led the Phoenix at the plate, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored on the day. Bennett added a 2-for-2 performance with one RBI and three runs scored for Elon.

The Blue Devils are off the remainder of the week. Duke will travel to East Carolina next Tuesday to take on the Pirates at 3 p.m. at Clark-LeClair Stadium. Duke will then host Elon on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Jack Coombs Field before hosting Radford University for a three-game series over the weekend.

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