ELON, N.C. – Elon University baseball hit three home runs, highlighted by Parker Haskin's grand slam, as the Phoenix (15-17, 7-6 CAA) defeated College of Charleston 14-5 on Friday night, April 30 at Latham Park.

"Little bit of a slow start tonight," said head coach Mike Kennedy. "Struggled a little defensively and left a few opportunities out there early. Guys kept at it and came up with some really good two-out at bats! Haskin's was the big blow but had some good at bats from Nick Cicci to get us going. Garrett Stonehouse and Cole Reynolds had good days at the plate as well. Justin Cassella's two-out home run gave us a little energy. Brian Edgington battled and Kyle Greenler's outing was huge."

ON THE MOUND
Edgington improved to 2-3 and struck out four in a 6.0-inning start. The Hatboro, Pa. native allowed four runs, two earned, on six hits and one walk. Greenler threw 1.0 inning in relief and gave up one hit, and Ben Simon tallied three strikeouts in 2.0 innings out of the pen. The true freshman from East Windsor, N.J. gave up one run on one hit and one walk.
 
AT THE PLATE
Stonehouse went 3-for-4, doubled, scored twice, drove in four runs and added a base on balls. Reynolds finished 3-for-3 with two runs and two walks, and Cicci hit 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Cassella, Haskin and Spurlin all homered in 1-for-5 outings. Anthony Galason batted 1-for-3 with two runs and a walk, Alex Iadisernia had a 1-for-4 day at the plate with two runs and a walk, and Jack Roberts drove in a run and walked once.

THE RUNDOWN
Elon opened the scoring in the bottom of the second as Galason scored from third on a Stonehouse single to right. With runners on first and second, a double down the left-field line allowed the Cougars (17-17, 7-6) to pull even, but Elon was able to catch the second baserunner in a rundown to limit the damage. The guests then took their only lead in the game, 3-1 with a two-run top of the fifth. The Phoenix was able to get a run back in the bottom of the frame thanks to a two-out solo shot by Cassella.

The Phoenix broke open the game with eight runs on five hits and an error in the sixth inning. Iadisernia reached on a CofC throwing error and Galason and Reynolds drew back-to-back walks to load the bases with no outs. Cicci then singled through the right side to knot the game at 3-3. Stonehouse followed with a two-RBI double to right for the 5-3 advantage. After the Cougars retired the next two batters, they elected to intentionally walk Cassella and run the bags full again. The decision proved costly, though as Haskin sent a 1-1 offering over the wall in left for four more runs on one swing of the bat. Later in the inning, Iadisernia would score on a wild pitch to make it a 10-3 Phoenix lead.

Charleston loaded the bases in the seventh and manufactured a run with a one-out single to left, but Roberts and Reynolds turned a 4-3 double play to snuff out any hopes of a comeback. Stonehouse walked to lead off the home half of the inning and Spurlin then hit a deep fly to center for the 12-4 advantage. The Cougars produced their last run with an RBI ground out to third in the eighth, but the Phoenix responded with another two-spot. The maroon and gold opened the frame with three consecutive hits, with Reynolds scoring from second on a Stonehouse hit to right. Cicci then moved from second to third on a Spurlin fly out to right and came home on a Roberts RBI fielder's choice. Simon then took care of the Cougars in order to cement the victory.

NOTES
- Haskin's grand slam marked his first career home run. His older brother Hudson, who played at Tulane, also hit a grand slam for his first collegiate hit.
- Reynold's three hits ties his season high.
- Elon has now won three straight against the Cougars and trims Charleston's lead in the all-time series to 33-26.
- Both teams are now tied for second in the CAA South Division standings. William & Mary is now first and 9-7 in league play after defeating UNCW 5-3 today.
- The 14 runs scored marks a new season high for the Phoenix.
- Elon has now hit 25 of its 35 home runs at home this year.
- The Phoenix hit 13-for-37 (.351) on the night, to include 5-for-12 (.417) with two outs, 9-for-21 (.429) with runners on and 5-for-15 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
- Elon's arms threw 87-of-129 (.674) pitches for strikes.
 
UP NEXT
The teams are back tomorrow for a 4 p.m. first pitch for Game Two.