ELON, N.C. – Elon University baseball led 3-2 through four innings, but could not hold off VCU as the maroon and gold dropped its midweek game 6-3 on Tuesday, March 30 at Latham Park.

"Tough one tonight," said head coach Mike Kennedy. "Left some runners on...had a few chances early to maybe get a lead, but just couldn't get it going with runners in scoring position. That's a good offensive club and you can't leave opportunities on the field."

ON THE MOUND
Ben Simon falls to 0-4 on the season after giving up three runs on four hits in 0.1 innings of relief. Starting pitcher Ian Evans was tagged for two runs on four hits through 1.2 innings. Kyle Greenler, Trevor Kirk, Adam Spurlin and Joe Sprake all held the Rams (13-10) scoreless in their appearances out of the pen. Kirk and Spurlin led Elon's arms with three strikeouts each, while Greenler and Sprake both recorded one strikeout and issued one walk. Ben Sieracki also entered the game and gave up one run on one hit and a walk in 0.1 innings pitched.
 
AT THE PLATE
Garrett Stonehouse and Jarrett Pico both finished 2-for-3 with a double, and Stonehouse also drove in a pair of runs. Alex Iadisernia was responsible for Elon's other run as he batted 1-for-4 with a solo home run. Cole Reynolds turned in a 1-for-3 day at the plate and walked once, Griffin Arnone hit 1-for-4 and added a run, and Parker Haskin also recorded a 1-for-4 outing for the team's other hit. Anthony Galason did not collect a hit, but scored once and also drew a walk.

THE RUNDOWN
Elon struck first with two runs on as many hits in the home half of the first. After Arnone led off with a single to center field, Galason walked to put two runners on for the Phoenix (6-11). VCU was able to retire the next two batters, but Stonehouse doubled to the gap in right to plate both runners and the maroon and gold jumped out to the early 2-0 lead. It was short-lived though as the visitors hung a two-spot in the top of the second. With one out, Jack Schroeder tripled to center and came home on a Hunter Vay single to the gap in left. Vay then swiped second base and touched home on a Logan Amiss hit through the right side of the Elon defense.

Iadisernia broke the 2-2 tie with a one-out, solo home run in the bottom of the third. VCU was able to pull even at 3-3 in the top of the fifth. A ground out to short moved runners up to second and third. The next batter was hit by a pitch to run the bases full and a Liam Hibbits ground out to ground out to second allowed the runner to score from third. The Rams then tacked on three more runs in the seventh as a single to center allowed runners to score from second and third. Schroeder then doubled to left center to place runners on the corners and a Vay sacrifice fly to left allowed the lead runner to tag up.

NOTES
- The game marked the first start of the season for Evans.
- Iadisernia is now tied with Willie Havens for the team lead in home runs with four this year.
- VCU left 10 runners on base compared to eight left stranded by Elon.
- Greenler threw 21-of-30 pitches for strikes and Kirk threw 20-of-28 for strikes.
- With the loss, the teams split the four meetings this season, 2-2.
- VCU closes the gap in the all-time series, 4-3.
 
UP NEXT
Elon opens CAA play this weekend as the Phoenix heads to Wilmington, N.C. for three games at UNCW.