UNCW to open CAA baseball slate on Friday at home against Elon

WILMINGTON, NC (UNCW) —  The defending Colonial Athletic Association champions open conference play Friday when UNCW hosts Elon in the first of a three-game set at Brooks Field. First-pitch is set for 6 p.m.

It will be the second series between the two program since Elon joined the CAA last year. The Phoenix took the series last year in Elon.

The Seahawks carry a four-game winning streak into the week following their win over nationally-ranked NC State on Tuesday. UNCW ran out to a 6-1 lead after five innings, fueled by home runs off the bats of Nick Feight and Brian Mims. For Feight, it was his team-leading seventh homer and he pushed his league-leading RBI total to 34. Mims, meanwhile, connected on his fourth round tripper and now has 24 runs batted in and 26 scored.

Robbie Thorburn leads the Seahawks with a career-high .391 batting average while posting a career-high with 11 stolen bases. Since moving to centerfield this season, he’s fielded all 44 chances flawlessly.

Friday night starter Ryan Foster has allowed just one earned run over his last 25 innings and enters his sixth start of the season ranked second in the league with a 1.29 ERA.

Elon dropped an 8-2 decision to High Point as the Panthers broke open a one-all deadlock with seven runs in the fifth inning. Kyle Jackson, who leads the CAA with eight homers, collected two hits and scored a run against High Point.

With inclement weather expected this weekend, follow @uncwbaseball for any updated times and schedules.

STARTING ROTATIONS
Friday
Elon – Jordan Barrett (LHP) 0-1, 6.39 ERA
UNCW – Ryan Foster (RHP) 3-1, 1.29 ERA
Saturday
Elon – Mason Daniels (RHP) 2-1, 3.97 ERA
UNCW – Alex Royalty (RHP) 4-1, 4.38 ERA
Sunday
ELON – To be announced
UNCW – Cory Gantz (RHP) 1-0, 4.70 ERA

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

1. Elon took 2-of-3 from the Seahawk in Elon last spring as the Phoenix won the opener, 9-3, and later the series following a split of a twinbill.
2. UNCW and Elon have met every year since 1998. The Seahawks lead the all-time series, 29-24
3. The two teams have met in the NCAA tournament with UNCW knocking out the Phoenix in 2008 and Elon doing likewise to UNCW in 2013
4. Former Seahawk and 2016 UNCW Hall-of-Famer Rick Jones was head coach at Elon from 1985 through 1989
5. Elon dropped 2-of-3 to William & Mary last weekend in the conference opening series for both teams

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kyle Jackson has been the top hitter for Elon this season with a .380 batting average, nine doubles and eight home runs … Jackson also has swiped eight bases t lead the Elon lineup … Danny Lynch has added three home runs and 18 RBI’s … On the mound a pair of relievers in Chris Hall and Ryan Conroy have stood out … Hall owns a 1.54 ERA while posting a 1-1 record with four saves while Conroy is 3-1 with a 1.77 ERA … Both have made nine appearances.