Five-Run Second, Mooney Lead 'Cats Past Elon, 9-2

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ELON, N.C. – A five-run second inning and strong pitching from RHP Danny Mooney led Davidson to a 9-2 victory over Elon in Southern Conference baseball action Saturday at Latham Park.

The bottom of the order powered the Davidson (26-14, 16-5 SoCon) offense, as left fielder and eighth hitter Lee Miller reached in all four plate appearances, going 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two walks, and catcher and ninth hitter Daniel Gerow went 2-for-4 with a double and matched his career high of three RBIs for the third time this season.

Mooney (5-3) pitched into the eighth inning and finished after 7.1 innings, allowing two runs, all in the first inning, on nine hits and three walks with three strikeouts.

The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Davidson against the Phoenix, and was the Wildcats' first at Elon (26-19, 12-10 SoCon) since Mar. 13, 2009, snapping a seven-game road skid.

Davidson's 26 wins this season are its most since 2005, while its 16th SoCon win extends a program record.

Elon jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on back-to-back doubles by designated hitter Chris King (1-for-4) and first baseman Tyler McVicar (1-for-3), but Davidson answered in the top of the second. Right fielder Nathan Becker (2-for-5, 2 RBIs) and shortstop Sam Foy (1-for-5) led the frame off with base hits, and RHP Michael Elephante (6-3) walked third baseman Arkin to load the bases and then walked Miller to bring across the first run.

Gerow drove in the go-ahead runs with a double just inside the third base bag, and the final runs came across on an RBI-groundout by second baseman Andrew Pope (0-for-4) and a sacrifice fly by first baseman David Daniels (1-for-4), respectively.

Elephante allowed the five runs on four hits and two walks and struck out one, and left after the inning.

With RHP Matt Harris on the mound, the 'Cats took advantage of a two-out error in the third inning, as Arkin and Miller followed with base hits to drive in Foy, who had reached on the error. Gerow followed with another single to drive in Arkin and give Davidson a 7-2 lead.

Harris settled in though and did not allow another Davidson hit until Miller singled in the top of the eighth. He finished the game, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits and four walks in seven innings, while striking out seven.

There was no scoring from the bottom of the third inning until the top of the ninth inning when Becker drove in the final two runs on a double.

Both teams finished with 10 hits. Left fielder Casey Jones reached in all five plate appearances for Elon, going 2-for-2 with a double and three walks, but scored only one run.

Davidson and Elon will play the rubber match Sunday at 1 p.m. RHP Nick Neitzel (6-0, 3.26 ERA) is slated to start for the Wildcats, while LHP Jake Stalzer (5-3, 3.68 ERA) is expected for the Phoenix.

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