Charleston spins two-hitter to clinch series at Elon

ELON, N.C. - Daniel Brooks, Trey Pooser, Reed Parris and William Privette combined to strikeout nine batters and hold Elon to just two hits as College of Charleston blanked the Phoenix, 3-0, on Saturday afternoon to clinch a series victory over Elon in CAA action.

LEADING OFF

Final Score: College of Charleston 3, Elon 0

Location: Elon, N.C. (Latham Park)

Records: Charleston (25-13, 12-2 CAA), Elon (18-20, 3-8 CAA)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Cougars jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with two runs in the second on an RBI single by Cam Dean and a bases-loaded walk from Tyler Sorrentino.
Charleston would add a third run in the fifth when Sorrentino walked, went to third on a Sam Cochrane single and scored on Trotter Harlan’s third sac fly of the weekend.
Trey Pooser tossed a gem out of the bullpen holding Elon to just two hits in five shutout innings in relief of Daniel Brooks who exited four pitches into the second inning.
Pooser delivered a key defensive play with one out in the second, fielding a soft comebacker and tossing to JT Marr at the plate for the tag to keep Elon off the board. He would then work out of a bases loaded jam to end the frame.
The junior right-hander would work out of another jam in the sixth, stranding a runner at third with one out to preserve the shutout.
Parris and Privettte would shut the door over the final three frames combining four five strikeouts while not allowing a baserunner to seal the victory.

KEY COUGARS

Sorrentino reached base twice via a walk, scoring once and plating another.
Joseph Mershon continued to swing a hot bat with his second multi-hit game of the weekend finishing the day 2-for-4 with a pair of singles.
Harlan collected his fifth RBI of the series as part of a 1-for-3 day.
Pooser picked up his third win of the season after striking out three and limiting Elon to two hits in five shutout innings out of the ‘pen.
Parris struck out the side on just 11 pitches in the seventh.
Privette collected his league-leading eighth save of the season with two perfect frames in the eighth and ninth.

FOR THE NOTEBOOK

With the win, Charleston extends its win streak to six games and secures its first series victory away from home this season.
The victory also clinches the Cougars’ third straight series win and moves them three games clear at the top of the CAA standings.
The shutout is Charleston’s third this season and second in CAA play. Charleston last held an opponent to two hits or less in a 3-1 win over Wagner on Feb. 19.
The Cougars’ pitching staff held the Phoenix to a 1-for-10 clip with runners on base and a 0-for-8 day with runners in scoring position.

NEXT UP

The Cougars and Phoenix will meet in the series finale on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Latham Park.