College of Charleston
Elon (Championship Game)
Elon Downs Cougars, 17-8, in SoCon Title Game
5/25/2008 4:00:00 AM | Baseball
Elon claimed the Bennett Hofford Family of Hotels Southern Conference Championship and a berth in the NCAA Regionals with a 17-8 triumph over College of Charleston in the title game before 2,255 at Joe Riley Park on Sunday.
Elon (43-16) became the first team since Western Carolina in 2003 to finish first in the regular season standings and capture the tournament championship as well. The Phoenix posted a 19-8 regular season mark to edge College of Charleston by one game. It marks the first tournament title for Elon, which joined the conference in 2003.
Elon lost two of three meetings with College of Charleston (39-20) during the regular season and were outscored 44-22 by the Cougars. But they turned the tables in the tournament, building a 12-3 lead after seven innings en route to the victory.
Elon starter Cory Harrilchak (7-3) scattered four hits and struck out five in six innings of work to pick up the win. Harrilchak was 5-for-5 at the plate with three RBI while scoring four runs.
Elon pushed a run across in the second inning after Bennett Davis singled and Chase Austin doubled. College of Charleston answered in the top of the third inning when Stuart Haywood launched a home run to center field.
The Phoenix added three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. Chris Dove and Donny Jobe singled and Harrilchak doubled down the right field line to score Dove. Davis reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Jobe. Austin then drove in Harrilchak with the third run of the inning.
In the top of the sixth inning, College of Charleston scored twice to cut the margin to 4-3. After Michael Harrington walked, Mike Hentz's triple down the right field line plated Harrington. Hentz scored on the play on a throwing error by Donny Jobe.
Elon broke it open in the bottom of the sixth with five runs. Irvine, Dove and Harrilchak walked to load the bases. Davis drove in two runs with a single to left field. After Dallas Tarleton was hit by a pitch, Austin singled in two more runs. Mike Lobacz doubled in Tarleton for the final run of the inning.
The Phoenix added three more runs in the seventh inning. With two outs, Harrilchak and Davis stroked singles before Tarleton homered to right field for a 12-3 lead.
Jesse Simpson (9-3) allowed nine hits and issued two walk in 4.2 innings of work, allowing four runs and was saddled with the loss.
The 2008 championship set the tournament record for runs scored per game. Over 15 games, tournament teams average 20.5 runs per game.
SoCon All-Tournament Team
C- Dallas Tarleton (Elon)
1B- Jay Jackson (Furman)
2B- Tim Carrier (UNC Greensboro)
SS- Chase Austin (Elon)
3B- Bennett Davis (Elon)
OF- Stuart Haywood (College of Charleston)
OF- Chris Shehan (Georgia Southern)
OF- Cory Harrilchak (Elon)
DH- Greg Feltes (UNC Greensboro)
P- Mike Lynn (College of Charleston)
