WILMINGTON, N.C. – UNC Wilmington scored four runs in the fifth inning and four more in the sixth and held off a late rally as the Seahawks knocked off previously undefeated Elon, 18-16, in college baseball action at Latham Park.

The Seahawks won their fifth straight and improved to 6-4 while the Phoenix, who were receiving votes in two national polls, fell to 10-1.

Freshman Cameron Roth (1-0) picked up the win in relief for the Seahawks after striking out four in 2 1/3 innings. Senior Larry Salefsky picked up his second save of the season after Elon plated eight runs in the bottom of the ninth.

UNCW senior Nate Hall drove in five runs on three hits, including his team-leading fifth homer of the season.

Both teams combined for 18 walks on the afternoon and each team used a season-high seven pitchers in the 4:16 affair.

Elon sophomore Daniel Britt (0-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing six runs, four earned, in 1 2/3 innings of relief.

Chris Dove paced the Elon lineup going 3-for-4 with three runs batted in. Harry Austin collected three runs batted in on three hits.

Trailing 8-6, senior Mark Carver homered to lead off the fifth inning and UNCW tied the game later in the inning when Hall scored on senior Justin Barefoot’s suicide squeeze bunt single. Sophomore Matt Holt, who homered in the second inning, scored the third run on a passed ball and Barefoot came around to score from second base on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Mike Rooney to left center.

UNCW pushed its lead to 14-8 with four more runs in the sixth. Rooney keyed the outburst with a 2-out, 2 run single.

Hall gave the Seahawks an 18-8 lead in the top of the ninth with a 3-run shot to left.

Elon battled back in the bottom of the inning, scoring eight runs on six walks and three hits before Salefsky slammed the door shut for the save.

The Seahawks open Colonial Athletic Association action on Friday with a 4 p.m. start against Towson at Brooks Field.

 

Notes: Daniel Hargrave, Jason Appel, Hall and Holt each scored three runs for UNCW ... Freshman Stephen Harrold struck out three in 1 2/3 innings of hitless relief ... Barefoot slammed his second home run of the season ... Sophomore Rhett Miller had his first 2-hit game of his career.