ELON, N.C. (Interstat) — Elon rallied from an early three-run deficit, capitalizing on a critical fifth-inning error to surge ahead and later pulling away for an 8-3 victory over North Carolina A&T in a nonconference baseball game Saturday at Walter C. Latham Park.

The Phoenix evened its season record at 7-7, while the Aggies fell to 3-11. The teams split the first two games of their weekend series, with North Carolina A&T having won 2-1 on Friday.

The Aggies struck immediately against Elon starter Aidan Stieglitz in the first inning. Leadoff hitter DiCarlo singled, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI single from Bradshaw. After a single and an error, Wyche delivered a two-run single to left field, staking North Carolina A&T to a 3-0 lead before Elon recorded an out.

Aggies starter Jordan Bright was dominant early, striking out seven over four hitless innings. However, two unearned runs in the second inning, fueled by his own throwing error and a subsequent fielding error, allowed Elon to halve the deficit. Jared Hall’s RBI single in the second and his run-scoring double in the fourth tied the game 3-3, with both runs driven in against Bright.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the bottom of the fifth after a pitching change. With Jason Johnson on in relief for the Aggies, Elon loaded the bases with one out via a walk, a hit batter and another walk. Evans then hit a grounder to the pitcher, who threw home to force out Alford for the second out. Catcher Smith’s subsequent throw to first in an attempt to complete a double play sailed wide, allowing two unearned runs to score and giving Elon a 5-3 lead it would not relinquish.

Elon reliever Michael Staiano, entering the game in the top of the sixth, shut down any chance of an Aggies response. He fired four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out five to earn the win. His performance stabilized the game after Stieglitz worked five innings, surrendering three runs on seven hits.

The Phoenix added insurance in the seventh, scoring three times on a combination of an RBI single from Brian DuRoff and two wild pitches. Jackson Alford was a catalyst on the basepaths, stealing four bases and scoring twice for Elon.

North Carolina A&T out-hit Elon 9-7 but stranded eight runners and committed three errors, leading to five unearned runs. The Aggies threatened in the ninth, putting two runners on with two outs, but Staiano closed the door with a strikeout.

The victory defied the pregame projection from Interstat, which gave Elon a 68.9% probability to win but had projected a final score of 4-1.

The series concludes Sunday afternoon at Latham Park. North Carolina A&T will host UNC Greensboro on Wednesday, while Elon travels to face North Carolina State on Tuesday.