ELON, N.C. – A three-run top of the eighth helped Elon University baseball erase a 4-0 deficit, but the Phoenix (25-27) dropped its opening-round game of the 2022 CAA Championship 5-4 to third-seeded Hofstra on Wednesday, May 25 at Latham Park.

ON THE MOUND
Liam Dabagian (1-2) received the loss after giving up the deciding run on two hits and two walks. The left-handed pitcher from Media, Pa. recorded two strikeouts in 1.2 innings in relief. Brian Edgington was tagged for four runs on six hits and two walks in a no decision. He finished with three strikeouts in a six-inning start. Sam DiLella also tossed one shutout inning in relief, adding one punch out to his totals.

AT THE PLATE
Luke Stephenson (2-for-4) powered the offense as he homered, doubled, scored twice and drove in three runs. Charlie Granatell also batted 2-for-4 and Carlos Marte hit 1-for-2. Parker Haskin, Will Vergatino and Cole Reynolds were all 1-for-4 with Reynolds adding one RBI. Connor Coolahan had Elon's other hit as he contributed a 1-for-5 outing with one run scored.

THE RUNDOWN
Hofstra placed runners on the corners with two outs in the home half of the first inning, but Edgington escaped the threat with a punchout. However, the Pride (27-21) loaded the bases with one out in the second. Edgington walked in a run before a Will Kennedy single through the right side scored a pair as Hofstra went ahead 3-0. Another run then came home on a Brian Morrell RBI fielder's choice.
 
The Pride looked to add some more insurance with two outs and runners in scoring position in the bottom of the fifth. However, Reynolds dove for a ground ball to his right, spun and fired to Edgington in time to get the out at first and keep it a 4-0 deficit.
 
Stephenson finally got Elon on the board in the seventh as he led off with a solo home run to left center. The Phoenix then pulled even with three runs on four hits in the eighth. With two away, Coolahan singled to left and Alex Iadisernia worked a full count for the base on balls. Stephenson then brought both runners home with a double down the left-field line, and Reynolds followed with a base hit back up the middle to knot the score at 4-4.
 
Elon had the go-ahead run on third base in the top of the ninth. Haskin started off the frame with a base knock through the right side, moved up to second on a Justin Cassella walk and took third on a Coolahan fielder's choice. However, Iadisernia grounded out to second as Hofstra got out of the inning. The Pride then loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth and walked off on a sac fly to left.
 
NOTES
- Hofstra trims Elon's lead in the all-time series to 11-8.
- Elon is now 1-3 against the Pride this season.
- This was Elon's third-straight one-run loss. The Phoenix is now 6-7 in games decided by a run.
- Elon did not collect its first hit of the game until Vergantino's single in the fifth inning.
- After not hitting a single batter all season, Edgington plunked three Hofstra batters.
- Both teams left eight runners on base and Elon outhit Hofstra, 9-8.
- Elon hit .243 (9-for-37) in the game, to include .357 (5-for-14) with two outs, .200 (3-for-15) with runners on and .286 (2-for-7) with runners in scoring position.
- Stephenson's long ball marked his 12th of the season and 19th of his career.

UP NEXT
Elon will look to avoid elimination tomorrow morning as the Phoenix meets No. 4 seed William & Mary in an 11 a.m. game. The Tribe fell 3-2 to No. 5 Northeastern in Wednesday's other game.