ELON, N.C. – Elon University baseball could not slow down College of Charleston as the Phoenix (18-19, 3-7 CAA) dropped the CAA series opener 11-2 on Friday, April 22 at Latham Park.
"We got out played today," head coach
Mike Kennedy said after the game. "They executed better in every phase. Moving runners, getting guys in, hit and run, executing pitches...you name it. They played really well and on the flip side we struggled in every phase. Look forward to tomorrow and seeing how we respond."
ON THE MOUND
Starter
Joe Savino (2-5) was handed the loss after getting tagged for six runs on seven hits. He finished with two strikeouts and didn't issue a walk. Elon also used
Liam Dabagian,
Ian Evans,
Jake Nolan and
Sam DiLella.
AT THE PLATE
Justin Cassella hit 1-for-3 with a triple,
Carlos Marte went 1-for-2 with a double, and
Griffin Arnone finished 1-for-1 and drove in one run.
Will Vergantino contributed a 1-for-3 effort with one run scored, and
Charlie Granatell,
Connor Coolahan and
Luke Stephenson all batted 1-for-4.
THE RUNDOWN
Both teams scored in the first inning. After the Cougars (24-13, 11-2) plated the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly to center, Elon answered as a Stephenson single through the left side brought in
Alex Iadisernia from second. Elon had another opportunity in the second as Cassella tripled to the gap in right with one out, but the visitors retired the next two batters to leave Cassella stranded. CofC then retook the lead 2-1 with another sac fly to center in the top of the third.
The Cougars broke open the game with a four-run top of the fifth. With one out, a double down the left-field line scored runners from second and third. CofC's Trotter Harlan then homered to straightaway center to push the Cougar lead to 6-1. In the sixth, another five runs on three hits and an error made it an 11-1 deficit. The Phoenix got back a run in the seventh as Vergantino scored from second on Arnone's RBI single through the right side, but the maroon and gold was unable to pull any closer.
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NOTES
- CofC extends its all-time series lead to 37-29.
- Elon was outhit in the game, 11-7.
- Both teams left six runners on base.
- The Phoenix hit just .206 (7-for-34) on the night, to include .154 (2-for-13) with runners on.
- Elon allowed six extra-base hits, to include four doubles.
- Arnone's hit raised his batting average from a .259 to .286.
UP NEXT
The series continues with a 4 p.m. start to Game Two tomorrow.
-ELON-