Scott's Blast Seals Elon's 7-4 Elimination Game Win

CHARLESTON, S.C. ? Elon scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning to earn a 7-4 win over Samford in game 10 of the 2010 Bennett Hofford Southern Conference Baseball Championship presented by Carolina Ford Dealers. 

With the game tied, Elon senior Mike Melillo doubled down the left field line, scoring outfielder Niko Fraser to give the Phoenix a 4-3 advantage. Three batters later, third baseman Ben Scott homered to left field, plating first baseman Ryan Adams and Melillo.

Samford scored once in the bottom of the ninth as catcher Brad Moss scored on a groundout by outfielder Wayne Miller. Elon then sent Kyle Webb to the mound with two outs. He was able to get outfielder Trey Hayes to ground out, ending the game.

With the victory, Elon (38-21) will face The Citadel at 1 p.m. Saturday. Samford (31-25) earned its second loss of the tournament and was eliminated.

Jim Stokes (2-0) picked up the win for the Phoenix. He allowed one earned run on three hits, striking out two in 2.2 innings of work. Webb earned his fourth save of the season.

Lex Rutledge (5-1) suffered the loss for the Bulldogs. He surrendered a three-run homer in 0.2 innings pitched and struck out one.

Catcher Alex Swim led Elon, finishing 2-for-3 at the plate. Scott went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, all of which came on his round-tripper in the top of the ninth.

Miller hit 3-for-5 and added two RBIs for Samford. Moss went 2-for-4 and one RBI.

Adams led off the second with a solo home run to right field, giving Elon an early 1-0 lead.

Samford evened it up in the bottom of the third. Third baseman Mason Meredeth hit a sacrifice fly to center, bringing Miller across home plate.

A wild pitch in the top of the fourth put Elon in front again, 2-1. The Phoenix extended its advantage to 3-1 in the top of the seventh as second baseman Seth Canipe scored on an error by the shortstop. .

The Bulldogs tied it in the bottom of the seventh. Moss singled down the left field line plating first baseman Tripp Swann. Elon made a pitching change, and with the count at 0-2, Miller hit a single through the left side to bring in second baseman Stephen Ballard.

Elon committed two errors to Samford’s one. The Bulldogs left 10 on base, while the Phoenix stranded nine.