ELON, N.C. – For the second time this weekend, Anthony Galason delivered in the clutch as Elon University baseball defeated VCU 8-7 in extra innings on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 28 at Latham Park.

"Very competitive series from start to finish," said head coach Mike Kennedy. "Thought we did some really good things offensively, especially being able to answer VCU's three-run sixth. To bounce back and get three of our own was huge. We had some big hits, some clutch walks and took advantage of a big hit by pitch. We had a lot of different guys step up, including a big pinch hit by J.P. Sponseller. Then Galason steps up and delivers again. Team win!"

ON THE MOUND
Starter Brian Edgington allowed four runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk. The Hatboro, Pa. native finished with five strikeouts through 5.2 innings. Spencer Bauer tossed 2.0 innings of relief and gave up one unearned run on two hits. Joe Sprake (2-0) received the win with two strikeouts through 2.1 innings pitched. The Lincroft, N.J. product was tagged for two unearned runs on one hit and he issued one base on balls.

AT THE PLATE
Four Elon batters turned in multi-hit efforts. Carlos Marte went 2-for-3, and Parker Haskin and Galason both finished at 2-for-5. Cole Reynolds hit 2-for-4 with a home run and added two runs scored. Alex Iadisernia, Garrett Stonehouse, Jarrett Pico, Tyler Cranston and Sponseller also collected hits.

THE RUNDOWN
The Phoenix (3-4) started off with a two-run bottom of the first. Iadisernia led off with a single to second and took second on a wild pitch. The redshirt freshman then moved to third on a Haskin ground out. Galason then walked and stole second, but an errant throw by the Rams (1-5) catcher allowed Iadisernia to cross the plate. Galason tried to beat out the throw home, but was thrown out in time. Reynolds then laced an 0-2 pitch over the wall in straightaway center for the 2-0 lead.

VCU finally got on the board with a solo home run in the fifth. Then in the sixth, the visitors plated three runs on as many hits and two errors. Elon retired the first two batters, but a fielding error put the next batter on and a two-run shot near the right field foul pole gave the Rams the 3-2 lead. Later, a single to center scored a runner from second to make it a 4-2 game.

Elon responded with a three-spot in the home half of the frame. Stonehouse and Willie Havens were both hit-by-pitch to start off. Pico then attempted to lay down a sacrifice bunt but beat out the throw as the VCU pitcher committed a fielding error. Sponseller then pinch hit for Cranston and drove in two with a hit to the gap in right. Following a pitching change, Marte executed a sac bunt to put runners in scoring position and Pico came home on an Iadisernia ground out as the Phoenix retook control, 5-4.

The maroon and gold tacked on two more runs in the seventh as Reynolds drew a one-out walk and scored on a Stonehouse double to left center. A Pico hit through the left side then plated Stonehouse as Elon pulled ahead, 7-4. The lead was short-lived though as the Rams answered with three runs in the eighth. With runners on first and second, an Elon throwing error trying to get the next batter out allowed both runs to score. The play allowed the batter to get to third, and a single through the left side then knotted the game at 7-7.

In the top of the ninth, the Phoenix completed a strikeout, throw them out double play to keep the Rams from doing any damage. Elon was unable to do anything in the home half of the frame, but was able to retire the side in order in the top of the 10th. Connor Offshack led off as a pinch hitter and was hit by a 2-0 offering. He then advanced to second on an Iadisernia sac bunt before Haskin was also hit. Galason then smacked a 2-0 pitch to right center and was mobbed at second as Elon sealed the series victory.

NOTES
- Elon outhit VCU, 13-8.
- It was Galason's second walk-off hit in the series. He secured a 7-6 comeback victory with a two-run home run in Game One of Saturday's doubleheader.
- Reynolds' long ball was his second of the season.
- Edgington struck out the side in the top of the fourth. It was the second time an Elon pitcher has done so this weekend after Ben Simon had a perfect top of the fifth in Game Two of the Saturday doubleheader.
- Elon hit three home runs this weekend after entering the series with just two through four games.
- Elon's arms tallied 28 strikeouts through the three games, compared to 21 by the Rams.
- The Phoenix now leads the all-time series 4-2.

UP NEXT
Elon is scheduled to play again next weekend, March 5-7 for three games at Latham Park. The team's opponent has yet to be determined.