ELON, N.C. – The Elon University baseball team couldn't overcome an early 5-0 deficit as the Phoenix (3-5) fell to UNC Greensboro 7-3 in Friday's series opener at Latham Park.

"Dug ourselves a little too big of a hole today," said head coach Mike Kennedy after the game. "Got behind in counts and made a few too many mistakes in the middle of the plate and UNCG made us pay. That's a good offensive club and you just can't do that. Was excited to see [Joe] Savino come in and give us a chance to stay in the game, and we got it back to 5-3, but just couldn't get it going offensively tonight. Have to bounce back tomorrow."

ON THE MOUND
Starter Ben Simon (0-1) took the loss after surrendering five runs on six hits and three walks. He struck out a pair through 2.0 innings. Joe Savino allowed one run on three hits, did not issue a walk, and ended up with nine strikeouts through 5.0 innings of relief. Will Gambino gave up one run on one hit and one walk. The redshirt freshman added three strikeouts over 2.0 innings of work. 
 
AT THE PLATE
Alex Iadisernia had the only multi-hit outing for the Phoenix, finishing 2-for-5 with a home run, a double, one run scored and two RBIs. Willie Havens went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored, Parker Haskin turned in a 1-for-3 effort, and Carlos Marte also hit 1-for-3 with a double as he scored a run and drove in another. Jarrett Pico had the team's other hit as he batted 1-for-4 on the day.

THE RUNDOWN
UNCG's Corey Rosier led off the game with a solo home run to right. The Spartans (7-2) then tacked on four more runs on five hits in the top of the second inning. With two outs and runners on the corners, a single through the right side made it a 2-0 UNCG lead. The next batter then doubled to bring home another run, and a hit through the left side plated two more runners as UNCG jumped out to a 5-0 lead.

Elon got on the board with a two-run bottom of the third as Havens, Marte and Iadisernia led off with three consecutive doubles. Down 5-2, the Phoenix then pulled to within 5-3 in the fifth as Iadisernia smoked the first pitch he saw to straightaway center. However, the visitors answered with a solo home run of their own in the top of the sixth. Later in the eighth, a grounder back to the pitcher brought home a runner from third as the Spartans went ahead 7-3. Elon got the leadoff man aboard in the ninth as Matt Oldham came in as a pinch hitter and was hit by a pitch. However, UNCG turned a 4-6-3 double play and fielded a grounder back to the pitcher to bring the game to a close.

NOTES
- The long ball was the career first for Iadisernia.
- UNCG has now won three straight against the Phoenix.
- Savino set career highs in innings pitched and strikeouts.
- Elon has hit a long ball in three of its past four games.
 
UP NEXT
Elon will play the Spartans again tomorrow in Greensboro, N.C. as the two programs play Game Two at UNCG Baseball Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.