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ELON, NC - MARCH 1: Trevor Kirk #32 of Elon University throws a pitch during a game between Indiana State and Elon at Walter C. Latham Park on March 1, 2020 in Elon, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It wasn’t the most encouraging of weekend series wins for the Wolfpack, but NC State will enter their Tuesday matchup with Elon sporting a more-than-solid 14-2 record. Yeah, that’ll typically play.
The Phoenix enter the game with an 8-7 overall mark and an RPI ranking of 211. They won their first four games of the season (Delaware x3, Presbyterian) before hitting a rough patch and losing seven of their next nine (a four-game skid and a three-game skid sandwiching a pair of wins over Fairfield). Elon finished up this past weekend by taking the final two games of their series with NC A&T.
Last Tuesday saw Elon put forth a hard-fought 5-1 loss at North Carolina, a game in which Phoenix pitchers held Tar Heel hitters to just five base knocks on the day and forced their opponent to scrap for every run.
Elon has yet to find their power stroke for the year, batting a collective .245/.367/.333, 22 2B, 7 HR, 13.1 BB%, 18.6 K%, 30-30 SB. After watching Lafayette more than double their season home run total in Raleigh this past weekend, NC State should be a bit hesitant to take relief in that tidbit. The Phoenix have been smart on the bases which has led to success in that department, while keeping relatively low on the strikeouts (79th in D1 in K%).
Leadoff man SR 2B Jackson Alford (.378/.491/.489, 2 2B, 1 HR, 17.5 BB%, 12.3 K%, 15-15 SB) is the catalyst for the entire lineup, and the offense goes as the 2025 2nd Team All-CAA selection goes.
The pitching staff has been incredibly solid with a collective line of 8-7, 5 SV, 4.74 ERA, 131.0 IP, 11.0 BB%, 21.9 K%. Southeast Missouri State transfer rSR RHP Brian Strange (1-2, 3.52 ERA, 23.0 IP, 8.9 BB%, 32.2 K%) is pitching like a potential 1st Team All-CAA arm, while SR RHP Sam Nomura (0-0, 0.64 ERA, 14.0 IP, 5.2 BB%, 10.3 K%), JR LHP Mike Staiano (1-1, 1 SV, 0.77 ERA, 11.2 IP, 9.8 BB%, 35.3 K%), and rSR RHP R.J. Latkowski (1-0, 4 SV, 0.00 ERA, 8.0 IP, 10.0 BB%, 33.3 K%) form the basis of what looks to be one of the CAA’s top bullpens.
If the lineup can establish some more consistent pieces behind Alford, this is a Phoenix team that can make some noise in conference play. With non-conference games remaining against NC State, East Carolina, and Wake Forest, the opportunity is also there for a statement win.
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