GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Elon University baseball could not hold onto an early 3-0 lead as the Phoenix (3-5) fell 9-3 to UNC Greensboro on Saturday afternoon, March 6 at UNCG Baseball Stadium.

ON THE MOUND
Spencer Bauer went 4.1 innings in his second start of the season. The Manasquan, N.J. native allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while recording three strikeouts. Ben Sieracki (0-1) was handed the loss after giving up two runs on as many hits and one walk through 0.2 innings. Trevor Kirk, Adam Spurlin and Ian Evans also made appearances.
 
AT THE PLATE
Willie Havens led the offensive effort with a 2-for-4 outing. The Amelia, Va. product tripled, doubled, drove in two runs and scored once. Tyler Cranston hit 1-for-2 with a double and one run scored, and Alex Iadisernia had the team's other extra-base hit as he doubled and scored a run in a 1-for-3 effort. Garrett Stonehouse collected the other hit for the Phoenix as he also hit 1-for-3.

THE RUNDOWN
Elon got started early as Iadisernia led off the top of the first with a double to the gap in right. Havens then brought him home with a triple to right center before coming home on a Reynolds sacrifice fly to left. The Phoenix then added another run in the third as Cranston led off with a double down the left field line. The Scottsdale, Ariz. native advanced to third on an Iadisernia fly out to center and came around on a Havens double down the right field line as the maroon and gold jumped out to an early 3-0 lead.
 
The Spartans responded with three runs on two hits and an error in the bottom of the fifth. After the leadoff man was hit by a pitch, UNCG's Zack Budzik doubled down the left line for the team's first score of the game. A ground out to second allowed Budzik to move up to third, and a Daniel Cerda single up the middle tacked on another run for the hosts. Later in the inning, Pres Cavenaugh drew a bases-loaded walk to knot the game at 3-3.
 
UNCG then took over control with a five-run bottom of the sixth. With runners on the corners, an Elon throwing error allowed the home team to jump ahead, 4-3. A double to left then plated the pair of Spartan runners from second and third. Following a sac bunt that moved the runner over to third, a single back to the pitcher brought home another run and a triple to center then made it 8-3.
 
In the seventh, the hosts added another insurance run to extend their lead, 9-3. A leadoff walk and double to center put runners in scoring position. Budzik then singled to left for his third RBI of the day.

NOTES
- This was the first career multi-hit game and first career multi-RBI game for Havens.
- Elon still leads the all-time series, but UNCG is closing the gap at 37-25.
- This is the second series win over the Phoenix this season for the Spartans.
 
UP NEXT
Elon and UNCG conclude the weekend series on Sunday, March 7 in a 1 p.m. game at Latham Park.