ELON, N.C. – After missing the majority of 2018 with an injury, senior Dan Leckie got off to a strong start on Friday, driving in Lafayette's lone run in the 2019 opener as the Leopards fell to Elon, 9-1, at Latham Park.
 
In the fifth inning trailing 3-0, freshman Justin Johnson reached base on a walk, advanced to second on a balk, and swiped third base before scoring his first collegiate run on Leckie's two-out RBI.
 
Elon's pitching would keep Lafayette's hitters off balance all day, allowing just the single hit and run.
 
Sophomore JP Woodward started on the bump for the Leopards, tossing 4.2 innings before being chased in the fifth when the Phoenix broke the game open when the pushed across three runs. Woodward gave up no free passes while striking out three in his season debut, allowing six earned.
 
Elon scored another three runs in the sixth inning off senior Jon Faraci before freshman Frank Craska struck out the side in the seventh. In his collegiate debut, Craska tossed two innings, with four punch outs and allowed just one base hit.
 
The series will continue tomorrow afternoon with junior Mark Anderson expected to make the start for the Leopards against George Kirby with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.


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