ELON, N.C. – Elon University baseball earned a 2-1 CAA series win over UNCW as the teams split the doubleheader on Sunday, April 25 at Latham Park. Elon took the first game 7-6 in 12 innings, but came up just short 6-5 in Game Two.

"Proud of the effort our guys put forth today," head coach Mike Kennedy said. "Joe Savino gave us a good start in game one and we again kept grinding offensively and found a way to get it done. Nick Cicci steps up big in the ninth and we never quit. Trevor Kirk again was outstanding and made some big pitches. Fell behind in game two, but showed some fight and battled back to get the tying run at third and winning run at first in the ninth. Really loved that our guys competed for nine innings and wouldn't go away. Kyle Greenler was outstanding and gave us a chance to catch them and we just about did."

ON THE MOUND
In Game One, Joe Sprake picked up the win and improved to 5-0. He issued two walks, didn't give up a hit or a run and added a strikeout in 2.0 innings out of the pen. Savino limited the Seahawks (19-15, 5-7 CAA) to three runs on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts in a 6.0-inning start. Kirk was tagged for three runs (one earned) on two hits and as many walks. The Wake Forest, N.C. native finished with eight strikeouts through 4.0 innings in relief.

Ben Sieracki took the loss in Game Two, falling to 1-2 on the season. The true freshman allowed four runs on five hits, walked one and struck out two in a 3.1-inning start. Ben Simon then came in, tossing 2.1 innings with two runs on three hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out a pair. Greenler held UNCW scoreless over 3.1 innings pitched. He walked two and added two strikeouts to his totals.

AT THE PLATE
Willie Havens had a strong start to the day, batting 4-for-5 with a home run, one run scored and two RBIs in the first game. Cicci had Elon's other long ball as he went 2-for-3 with one run and two RBIs. Alex Iadisernia hit 2-for-4, doubled, scored once and walked once. Adam Spurlin also turned in a 2-for-4 outing and added a stolen base. Anthony Galason ended up 2-for-5 with a double, one run, one RBI and a walk. Justin Cassella recorded the team's other hit as he finished 1-for-4 with one walk.

In Game Two, Iadisernia turned in a 2-for-3 outing with one home run, one run, one RBI and one walk. Galason also had a multi-hit outing as he went 2-for-4 with one big fly, one two-bagger, a run and an RBI. Cole Reynolds also had a solo blast in a 1-for-2 outing. He added one run, one RBI and two walks to his totals. Garrett Stonehouse had the team's other round-tripper as he batted 1-for-5 with a run and RBI. Jack Roberts went 1-for-3, Cicci was 1-for-4 and scored once, and Spurlin was also 1-for-4 with an RBI and a swiped bag.

THE RUNDOWN
UNCW struck first in Game One with a two-out, two-run blast in the top of the third. After Havens got the Phoenix (13-17, 6-6) on the board with a leadoff solo shot in the home half of the inning, the visitors answered with one of their own to make it 3-1 midway through the fourth. Elon then pulled even in its next turn at the plate. Iadisernia led off with a double off the wall in left and came around on a Galason two-base hit to the gap in right. The Colts Neck, N.J. native then moved up to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a Reynolds ground out to first. Elon then took the lead 4-3 in the sixth. Stonehouse drew a one-out walk and went from first to third on a Havens single through the right side. UNCW then retired Spurlin for the second out as Cicci pinch hit for Jarrett Pico. The redshirt senior found a hole through the left side of the Seahawk infield and the Phoenix took its first lead of the day.

The guests responded with a two-run top of the seventh. With one out, a batter reached on catcher's interference. The ensuing batter then drove a 1-2 pitch over the wall in center as the Seahawks wrestled back control, 5-4. Down to its last three outs, Cicci led off the ninth with a solo shot to left center as Elon forced extra innings. Both teams would score a run in the 10th. In the 12th, UNCW had runners on the corners but with two outs Sprake induced a fly out to left. In the home half of the frame, the international tie-breaking rule saw Roberts placed on second. Iadisernia then reached on a fielder's choice sacrifice bunt and Galason was intentionally walked to load the bases. UNCW's center fielder was able to make a diving catch on a J.P. Sponseller fly ball to the gap in right, but Roberts was able to tag up on the walk-off sac fly.

Galason put the Phoenix in front in Game Two as he led off the second with a solo home run to left. UNCW would build a 6-1 lead though with two runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Elon was able to get a run back in the seventh as Reynolds hit a dinger to left center. Stonehouse and Iadisernia then posted back-to-back homers in the eighth to close the gap, 6-4. It looked as though the Phoenix would force extras for the third time in as many games in the bottom of the ninth. Cicci started off the frame with a single through the left side and advanced to second on a Havens ground out to third. Spurlin then plated Cicci with another hit through the left side as Elon was within a run at 6-5. After Sponseller flew out to left, Spurlin stole second and took third on an errant throw by the UNCW catcher. Cassella was hit by a pitch to place runners on the corners, but Stonehouse grounded out to second to bring the game to a close.

NOTES
- Elon and UNCW split their six regular-season meetings, 3-3 with both teams picking up 2-1 series wins at home.
- The all-time series lead now stands at 45-34 in favor of UNCW.
- With nine home runs this season, Iadisernia has tied the program's Division I freshman record set by alum Liam O'Regan in 2016.
- Elon and UNCW combined for 12 home runs in the series, with both sides hitting six apiece. The Phoenix had four in the series finale.
- Elon has now played 13 one-run games this season and is 9-4 in those contests.
- Havens' four hits in the first game marks a new career high.
- After this weekend, Elon is currently third in the CAA South Division standings with six conference games left on the schedule.
 
UP NEXT
Elon will host Western Carolina this Wednesday, April 28 for a 7 p.m. game at Latham Park.