University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Elon
No. 6 Tar Heels Slug Past Elon, 11-6
March 17, 2016 | Baseball
CHAPEL HILL --- Adam Pate had three hits and drove in three runs as No. 6 North Carolina beat Elon 11-6 Wednesday night at Boshamer Stadium. Brandon Riley had two hits and drove in two for the Tar Heels, and Brett Daniels worked 2.2 innings for his first career win. Carolina has now scored at least 10 runs in eight of 16 games with an ACC series at Duke set to begin Friday night at 6 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Brian Miller, who reached base four times on the night, scored on a balk by Elon starter Sean Byrnes (1-1) to open the scoring in the first. After Elon (8-9) struck for two in the second to take a brief 2-1 lead, the Tar Heels (14-2) jumped on Byrnes for four more in the bottom half, highlighted by Riley's two-run double to right center.
Pate's two-run double in the fourth sparked another four-run inning, but the Phoenix threatened to make a game of it in the sixth. Seven straight Elon batters reached to lead off the inning before Spencer Trayner retired the top three in order to leave the bases loaded and keep UNC ahead 9-6.
Carolina added two more in the bottom of the sixth for the final margin.
Daniels allowed just two hits over 2.2 frames for the win in relief of starter J.T. Rogoszewski. Taylor Sugg struck out five over three perfect innings to pick up his first career save.
Travis Docimo drove in three runs to lead Elon, which used seven different pitchers.
Carolina returns to ACC play Friday with the first of three with cross-town rival Duke at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
