ELON, N.C. - Graduate first baseman Freddy Forgione delivered a go-ahead two-run double in the top of the ninth inning and Binghamton baseball (1-3) scored four runs in its final at-bat to topple host Elon (1-4) 8-4 Friday night at Latham Park.

The Bearcats scored six runs in the final two innings to put away the Phoenix in the opening game of a weekend series. The game began as a pitchers' duel in front of a bank of MLB scouts and ended with 12 combined runs over the final four frames. 

Graduate starter Ryan Packard went 5.0 scoreless, 1-hit innings to outshine Elon starter Justin Mitrovich, a consensus high-round MLB draft pick who attracted a dozen scouts to the game. Packard fanned seven (at least in every inning) and only allowed a first-inning double. In two outings as a Bearcat, Packard has a 1.00 ERA.

Scoreless after five innings, Binghamton struck for a pair in the top of the sixth and chased Mitrovich. Senior left fielder Logan Haskell led off with a walk and three batters later, senior DH Evin Sullivan reached on an infield single. Senior catcher Zach Rogacki hit an RBI double to right field for the game's first run. Two straight walks brought in a second run before the Bearcats left the bases loaded. 

Elon tied it with two runs in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out double.

In the eighth inning, the Bearcats reclaimed the lead with two runs. Sullivan was hit-by-pitch to lead off and Rogacki drew a walk. A sacrifice bunt by Forgione put runners on second and third and junior second baseman Zack Kent came through with two-run single up the middle to make it 4-2. 

The Phoenix answered again with two in the bottom of the inning as the strike zone narrowed for the Bearcats bullpen. 

In the ninth, Binghamton had five straight reach base and scored the deciding four runs on three hits. Freshman center fielder Matt Bolton reached via infield error to lead off. With two outs, Rogacki was hit, setting the stage for Forgione, who belted a 1-1 pitch off the wall in deep center, scoring two for a 6-4 lead. Kent followed with a shot inside the third-base bag that made it 7-4. Junior shortstop Mike Stellrecht plated the final run with an RBI single. 

Kent wound up with two hits and four RBI. Forgione had a double and two RBI and Sullivan collected two hits.

Sophomore closer Jackson Mitchell earned the win with 1.2 innings of relief. Classmate Hayden Tarsia went 2.1 innings to bridge from starter to closer. 

The teams continue the series with a 2 p.m. Saturday. Freshman Brady Bouchard makes his second collegiate start.