WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – J.D. Reichenbach allowed two runs on four hits in 5.1 innings of work to lead the Elon Phoenix to a 5-4 baseball victory over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons from Wake Forest Baseball Park on Wednesday night. The Phoenix has won three straight to improve to 8-4 on the season. Wake Forest is now 7-5.
Cory Harrilchak drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch to lead off the game for Elon, extending his streak of reaching base safely to 45 straight games. Following a Harry Austin sacrifice bunt, Bennett Davis singled through the right side to plate Harrilchak with the first run of the contest.
Dustin Hood reached on a one-out walk before coming around to score on Mike Murray’s double to the gap in right. On the throw to the plate, Murray took third. The Deacons took the lead when Weldon Woodall’s fly out to right allowed Murray to tag and score.
In the top of the fourth Justin Hilt walked with one out and then stole second. A bloop single to center off the bat of Greg Annarummo gave Elon runners on the corners for Scott Riddle. Riddle tapped a ball back to the Wake Forest pitcher who threw high of second which allowed Hilt to score. Neal Pritchard’s liner to right reached the wall for a double, plating Annarummo as Elon moved back on top by a 3-2 margin. The Phoenix lead improved to 4-2 on Harrilchak’s ground out that drove home Riddle.
With Ian Tomkins at first after a single, Tyler Smith doubled down the right field line putting runners on second and third with two outs before Micah Jarrett drew a walk to load the bases for Hood. Reichenbach escaped any damage though when Hood grounded a ball to short for the final out of the inning.
The Phoenix added another in the sixth when Pritchard doubled home Zeth Stone, who had singled and advanced to second on an error earlier in the inning.
In the bottom of the ninth, Carlos Lopez walked to start the inning before scoring when pinch-hitter Evan Ocheltree belted a 3-1 pitch from over the wall in center, closing the Wake Forest deficit to just a run at 5-4.
Reichenbach (1-0) was the winner after his second-longest career outing. After allowing two first inning runs, the junior settled in and held the Deacons scoreless for the remainder of his outing.
Thomas Girdwood picked up his fourth save of the year and 14th of his career with an inning of work. Girdwood now sits in a tie for second on Elon's career saves chart.
Mark Adzick (0-1) took the loss in relief. He gave up three runs (one earned) on two hits and three walks in 1.1 innings of action.
Pritchard went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI to pace the Elon attack. Hilt was 0-for-3, snapping an 11-game hitting streak. Harrilchak's 1-for-4 night extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
Ian Tomkins posted a 2-for-3 game for Wake Forest.
The Phoenix will take Thursday off before hosting Davidson in a three-game SoCon series beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday night.
-- ELON --