Elon, N.C. (Feb. 16, 2020) --- Delaware State freshman pitcher Dylan Byler was cruising for five innings before running into trouble in the sixth of Elon's 8-0 victory over the Hornets in the finale of a three-game at Latham Park today. The Phoenix (3-0) swept the season opening series for both teams.
The game was scoreless until Elon scored seven runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by a three-run triple by Matt Oldham and two-run double by Nick Cicci.
Prior to the sixth, Byler (Lancaster, Pa.) held the Phoenix to just two hits and retired the side in order in the first and fifth innings.
For the game, Byler faced 24 batters in 5.1 innings, allowing five hits and four runs, striking out one and walking two.
Freshman reliever Hiram Davis (Dover, Del.) gave up three runs and hits after relieving Byler in the sixth.
Delaware State did not get its first of four hits in the game until Miguel Rivera (jr.) singled with two outs in the fourth. The Hornets had just the one hit until Alex Vasquez (jr.) singled to lead off the eighth. DSU had its best scoring chance in the ninth, loading the bases on a walk and singles by Tripp Kimmell (fr.) and Trey Paige (fr.), but the Elon bullpen retired the last two batters to end the game.
The Hornets will play their home opening series next weekend (Feb. 22-23) against the University of Massachusetts. The teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Saturday (12:00 p.m.) and close out the series with a single game on Sunday (1:00 p.m.).