GREENSBORO, N.C. – A five-run top of the sixth inning highlighted a 10-4 win for Elon University baseball on Saturday, March 13 at War Memorial Stadium as the team pulled even in the series against North Carolina A&T.

"Good to get back in the Win column!," head coach Mike Kennedy said after the game. "Thought we did some good things in moving runners and getting guys in when we had the opportunity. Took advantage of some mistakes and that's what you have to do to win games. Thought we competed well on the mound. Big outing from [Ben] Sieracki out of the pen!"

ON THE MOUND
Spencer Bauer held the host Aggies (5-9) to two runs on five hits and one walk. The redshirt freshman from Manasquan, N.J. added three strikeouts through the 4.0-inning start. Ben Sieracki then took over and held the home team scoreless through 3.0 innings of relief. The true freshman out of Rocky Mount, N.C. also recorded three strikeouts and gave up just two hits to earn the win and improve to 1-1 on the season. Ian Evans and Kyle Greenler also made appearances for the Phoenix (4-8).
 
AT THE PLATE
Anthony Galason and Garrett Stonehouse both turned in multi-hit outings. Galason went 2-for-4 and added an RBI and a run scored, while Stonehouse hit 2-for-5, drove in two runs and scored another. Alex Iadisernia had a 1-for-3 outing, walked twice and touched home three times. Cole Reynolds also finished 1-for-3 with a double, a base on balls, three RBIs and a run. Also doubling and batting 1-for-4 were Justin Cassella and Jarrett Pico.

THE RUNDOWN
Elon built an early 3-0 advantage midway through the third inning. In the top of the first, Iadisernia drew a six-pitch walk and advanced to third on a Galason single to center field. He then crossed the final 90 feet on a Reynolds sacrifice fly to center. Pico then made it 2-0 in the second with a two-out RBI double to the gap in left that scored Stonehouse from first. In the top of the third, Cassella drew a leadoff walk and proceeded to steal second and third. The true freshman then crossed home plate on a Reynolds double.

N.C. A&T finally got on the board with a run in the home half of the third. A double to right and a wild pitch moved the runner to third. The Phoenix retired the next two batters, but another two-base hit made it 3-1. The Aggies then made it a one-run game in the fourth as a 4-1 ground out allowed a runner to score from third. Elon responded with two runs in the fifth. Cassella again led off with a walk, took third on a Iadisernia single to center, and tagged up on a Galason sac fly. After a Reynolds walk, a Stonehouse hit back up the middle brought in Iadisernia.

The Phoenix then broke open the game with a five-spot in the sixth. Carlos Marte walked and took second on a balk by the Aggie pitcher. Cassella then doubled down the left field line for the 6-2 lead. An Iadisernia walk and a Galason single then loaded the bases for Reynolds, who reached on a throwing error by the N.C. A&T second baseman as Cassella scored on the play. Stonehouse then reached on a fielder's choice for an RBI and Reynolds touched home on a J.P. Sponseller sac fly to center. Later in the eighth, the Aggies manufactured two runs on as many hits and an error, but it proved to be too little too late as the Phoenix held on for the victory.

NOTES
- It was the first career start and second appearance for Cassella.
- Elon now leads the all-time series 50-10-1.
- The 10 runs scored marks a season high for the Phoenix.
-  Both sides tallied 10 hits in the game.
- N.C. A& used six different pitchers.
 
UP NEXT
Tomorrow's rubber match will be played at 2 p.m. at Latham Park.