ELON, N.C. – Elon University baseball cruised to a 13-7 win in Game One and rallied for a 7-6 win in Game Two as the team defeated visiting William & Mary twice on Saturday, April 10 at Latham Park. The Phoenix improves to 10-13 overall and 3-2 in the CAA with the series victory.

"We did a lot of good things today offensively," head coach Mike Kennedy said. "Different guys stepped up throughout the day delivering big hits! I thought we especially did some nice work with two outs."

ON THE MOUND
Spencer Bauer earned the win in the first game to improve to 2-1 on the season. The Manasquan, N.J. native allowed six runs on as many hits and five walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings. Kyle Greenler picked up his first save of the year after holding the Tribe (6-16, 3-5) to one hit without issuing a walk in 3.1 innings in relief. Tristan Corcoran also made an appearance as he gave up one run on two hits and one walk. The true freshman recorded one strikeout in 0.1 innings pitched.

In Game Two, Trevor Kirk secured the win after holding the visitors to one hit and one walk through 2.1 innings out of the pen. He did not allow any runs and tallied two strikeouts to improve to 2-1. Starter Joe Savino was tagged for six runs, but only one of them was earned. He allowed four hits, did not walk anyone and finished with seven strikeouts over 3.1 innings. Ben Sieracki tossed 2.1 innings and racked up three punch outs without allowing a run. He held the visitors to one hit and two bases on balls.

"Thought the bullpen was exceptional today," commented Kennedy. "Greenler, Sieracki, Kirk and Sprake all did a great job!"

AT THE PLATE
Justin Cassella turned in a 3-for-5 outing in the first game. The Bernardsville, N.J. product hit a three-run home run, scored twice, drove in five runs and added a stolen base. Alex Iadisernia also hit a three-run blast as the redshirt freshman finished 2-for-5 with two runs and three RBIs. Garrett Stonehouse batted 2-for-3 with a double,  a run scored and two more driven in. Jarrett Pico doubled and scored twice in a 2-for-4 outing, and Parker Haskin had the team's other multi-hit game as he went 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs.

Cassella continued his hot streak with a 4-for-5 effort in Game Two. He went yard for the second time in as many games, doubled, scored three times and added an RBI. Matt Oldham went 2-for-3 at the plate with a two-bagger and one RBI, and Cole Reynolds hit 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Willie Havens finished 1-for-2, Anthony Galason hit 1-for-4 with a run and two RBIs, and Alex Iadisernia batted 1-for-5 as he doubled and drove in three runs.

"Can't say enough about the day Cassella had," added Kennedy. "That kid delivered over and over and over! He was fun to watch out there today, and Alex keeps putting us on his back!"

THE RUNDOWN
Iadisernia opened the scoring in Game One with a three-run blast in the bottom of the first. W&M pulled even with one run in the second and two more in the fourth, but the maroon and gold pulled away again with a four-run bottom half of the fourth. Reynolds scored from third on a Stonehouse sacrifice fly to right center as Elon retook the lead, 4-3. With runners on first and second, Cassella then drove a 1-0 pitch over the wall in left to push the lead to 7-3. The Tribe got back a run in their next turn at the plate, but Elon manufactured three more runs on four hits in the bottom of the fifth. A Haskin hit back up the middle scored Iadisernia and Galason, and Haskin came around on a Stonehouse double to the gap in right. W&M scored three runs in the sixth to get to within 10-7, but Elon answered with another three-spot in the seventh for the final tally.

Cassella gave the Phoenix an early 1-0 lead as he led off the first with a solo shot to left. Elon then pushed its lead to 5-0 with a four-run bottom of the third. With runners in scoring position, and Iadisernia ground out to second brought home Cassella from third. Galason then belted a two-run bomb to left before play was halted due to inclement weather in the area. Once play resumed, Reynolds singled to right and touched home and an Oldham double to left.

The Tribe took over in the top of the fourth with six runs on five hits and two errors. After the leadoff man reached on a throwing error, the next batter tripled to right field to put W&M on the board. After a strikeout swinging, a single up the middle made it 5-2. A fielder's choice and another throwing error placed runners on first and second, and the pair came around on a double down the left-field line. The guests then took the lead on a two-run homer to left center.

Elon's offense finally clicked in the eighth inning. With two outs, Cassella doubled to right center and Tyler Cranston was hit by a pitch. Iadisernia then smacked a 3-1 pitch to the gap in right for what would be the decisive runs. The Phoenix then retired the side in order in the ninth to complete the comeback.

NOTES
- Cassella had himself a day as he hit 7-for-10 with two homers, one double, five runs, six RBIs and 14 total bases. The effort raised his season average from a .200 up to a .400 as he turned in a 1.400 slugging percentage and a .700 on-base percentage over the two games.
- Elon extends its lead in the all-time series to 18-11.
- The Phoenix has now won nine straight over the Tribe.
- Elon's 14 hits in the first game marked a new season high.
- Savino now owns 40 strikeouts this season, which leads the team.
- Iadisernia now has 11 multi-hit games and five multi-RBI games. He extends his hitting streak to nine games.
- Galason has now reach safely in 14 straight games.
 
UP NEXT
Elon and W&M close out the series at 1 p.m. tomorrow.