ELON, N.C. – Alex Iadisernia homered in each of his first two at bats and Elon University baseball won its series opener versus Army 7-3 on Friday, March 18 at Latham Park.

"Proud of our guys today," said head coach Mike Kennedy. "I thought we battled our tails off. Having to get Joe Savino out of there was tough and our pen answered the call. Liam Dabagian was great and both Trevor Kirk and Kyle Greenler were clutch. Kirk had a big heads-up play there in the eighth that kept the momentum on our side. Had some big swings from Alex, some great baserunning from Justin Cassella and another big swing from Parker Haskin. Thought we competed today and played well in all areas."

ON THE MOUND
Dabagian (1-0) picked up the win after tossing 3.2 scoreless innings out of the pen. He held the Black Knights (3-12) to one hit, issued two walks and struck out three. Kirk threw two scoreless innings with three hits allowed and four strikeouts and Greenler came in and pitched the ninth, giving up one hit with two punch outs. Savino was tagged for three runs on six hits and one walk through 2.1 innings. He finished with two strikeouts before being pulled.

AT THE PLATE
Iadisernia drove in three runs, scored another two and added a walk as he ended up 2-for-3 for the day. Connor Coolahan hit 2-for-2 with two runs and a base on balls and Luke Stephenson went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Haskin had the other long ball for the Phoenix (10-7) as he batted 1-for-4.

THE RUNDOWN
Army opened the scoring in the top of the first as a two-out single through the right side brought home a runner from second. Elon pulled even in the home half of the frame as Iadisernia homered to straightaway center. The Black Knights then pulled ahead 3-1 with solo shots in second and third innings.

Elon finally wrestled away control with a three-run bottom of the third. Will Vergantino led off with a single through the right side and moved up to third on a Coolahan hit to right field. Vergantino then tagged up on a Charlie Granatell sacrifice fly to center to close the gap, 3-2. After Samuel Frontino flew out to right center, Iadisernia hit a no-doubter to right field as the maroon and gold jumped ahead, 4-3.

The Phoenix added an insurance run in the fifth as Stephenson singled to short with the bases loaded. Coolahan came home on the play as Army was unable to get the force out at second. However the Black Knights were able to throw Granatell out at home to get out of the inning. A wild pitch and an error allowed Cassella to score from second in the bottom of the sixth, and Haskin rounded out the scoring with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the eighth. The visitors looked to close the gap in the top of the inning, but Haskin made a play at the plate and Kirk fooled a batter on a 1-2 pitch for the third out.  

NOTES
- Today was the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
- This was the fifth multi-home run game of the season for Elon and the second time the Phoenix has hit three in one game.
- Elon's arms combined for 11 strikeouts with just three walks issued.
- Granatell continued his streak, which now stands at nine games.
- This was Haskin's first home run of the season.
- The win marked the first of Dabagian's career.
- Iadisernia leapfrogs Stephenson for the team lead in home runs with four.
- Elon is now 9-5 when playing at home this season.
- Elon turned two double plays in the game and has now turned 18 this season.

UP NEXT
Elon and Army are back at 2 p.m. tomorrow for Game Two of the weekend series.