April 22, 2003

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -Elon (24-16-1) defeated North Carolina (31-12 10-5 ACC), 5-4 on Tuesday evening at Boshamer Stadium. In their first extra-inning game of the season, the Tar Heels again rallied in the ninth to tie the game, but the Phoenix got a game-winning home run from Mike Fratoe in the top of the 12th. Six different Carolina batters contributed at least one hit in the loss, including Greg Mangum who recorded his first career four-hit game.

Elon took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Leadoff batter Evan Tartaglia reached on an error by Chris Iannetta at first base and came around to score three batters later when George Brandner dumped an RBI single into center field.

The Phoenix extended its lead thanks to a solo home run off the bat of Wes Miller in the top of the fourth inning.

The Tar Heels got on the board with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Back-to-back doubles by Iannetta and Ryan Blake brought Carolina within a run. With Blake on second, Blair Waggett bounced an RBI single into center field, tying the game at two.

Elon grabbed the lead with a run in the top of the eighth inning. With two strikes, Carolina reliever Scott Senatore hit Gary Morris with a pitch. After a sacrifice bunt by Chris Price, Miller singled to left, scoring Morris with the go-ahead run.

The Phoenix added another run in the top of the ninth. Paul Bennett was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and came around to score three batters later when Robbie Smith hit a sacrifice fly down the right field line.

Carolina tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Jeremy Cleveland was hit by a pitch leading off the inning, and with one out, Sammy Hewitt reached on an error by Brian Ingram. Iannetta then tied the game at 4-4 by doubling into the left-center field gap, scoring both runners.

Elon regained the lead in the top of the 12th inning. Fratoe led off against Whitley Benson and blasted his fifth home run of the season over the left field wall, giving the Phoenix a 5-4 lead. This would turn out to be the game-winner as Elon reliever Adam Acosta retired the Tar Heels in order in the bottom of the inning to pick up his first win of the season.

The Tar Heels will host East Carolina at Boshamer Stadium on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. before heading to Raleigh for a three-game series against NC State this weekend.