March 4, 2006
Box Score
Elon collected six home runs in the two games, including Chris Vasami's first career two-homer game in the nightcap, to sweep a doubleheader from Siena 4-1 and 13-7. The Phoenix improved to 9-4 on the year while the Saints are still looking for their first win of the season after an 0-5 start.
Elon struck first in the third inning of game one when Paul Bennett's ground out plated Ryan Addison who led the frame off with a double. Siena evened the score in the eighth inning when Rick Seltzer singled home Matt Gidaly.
The Phoenix struck for three runs in the bottom of the eighth, the first run scoring when Donny Jobe crossed the plate on Chris Price's single. Price was able to trot home on the next pitch as Grant Rembert sent a line drive over the wall in left-center for his first homer of the year.
Chad Tilley earned the win in relief of Lance Cole. Tilley threw 1.0 inning and gave up one hit and struck out three. Cole took a no decision after 7.0 strong innings of work. The senior allowed one run on four hits while fanning three. Tom Porter pitched a perfect ninth to record his second save of the year.
Trevor Reid took the loss in relief of Ken Grant. Reid allowed three runs on three hits over 3.0 innings of work. Grant hurled 5.0 strong innings and gave up one run on three hits. Vince Gutierrez, Nick Messinger and Chris Klepps each had two hits for Siena in the opener.
In game two, Elon scored three times in the second inning, including a two-run home run off the bat of Ryan Addison. The Phoenix extended its lead to 5-0 in the third on back-to-back blasts from Price and Vasami. In the fourth, a solo shot from Bennett to start the inning pushed the advantage to 6-0.
Siena staged a rally in the sixth to get within three runs. Chris Klepps knocked in two on a single to center. The third Saint run would come on a wild pitch.
Elon answered right back in its half of the sixth inning with five runs, pushing the margin to 11-3. Danny Miller's pinch-hit double drove in Bennett with the first run. Following a walk to Price, Vasami struck for his second blast of the day, a three-run shot over the centerfield wall. Elon's final run of the inning scored when Jobe singled to center to plate Adam Weaver.
Elon added two more runs in the seventh before Siena tried to get back in the game with four in the eighth. The Saints rally started when Nick Messinger singled to center, advanced to second on a ground out and scored on Seltzer's single. Seltzer and Klepps would later come around to score on a double from John Wilkes with runs five and six in the game. Wilkes would score Siena's final run when Michael Ambury singled up the middle.
Ryan Basham picked up the victory after 6.0 innings of work. He allowed three runs on four hits while striking out three. Taking the loss was James Pacifico who lasted just 2.1 innings after giving up five runs on nine hits.
On the day, Elon's offense was paced by Price (3-for-6, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI) and Vasami (3-for-4, 3 runs scored, 4 RBI). Siena was led by Vince Gutierrez (3-for-7, run scored) and Seltzer (2-for-6, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI). The two teams will finish off the three-game series at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon from Latham Park.
