ELON, N.C. – Elon University baseball could not come up with enough offense as the Phoenix (0-2) fell 5-3 to Fairfield University on Saturday, Feb. 19 at Latham Park.

"Another tough one with what I believe are two evenly matched teams," said head coach Mike Kennedy. "A couple plays, a couple at bats or pitches here or there are the difference in these first two games of the series. Give credit to Fairfield for making those plays."

ON THE MOUND
Joe Savino falls to 0-1 after giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits. The Ronkonkoma, N.Y. native faced 20 batters in a 5.0-inning start and finished with four strikeouts. Ian Evans was responsible for an unearned run and allowed two hits and a walk with one strikeout through 2.0 innings of relief.

Shea Sprague tossed one scoreless inning of two-hit ball and recorded a strikeout. Jake Nolan, Sam DiLella and Kyle Greenler also made appearances with each throwing a third of an inning.

"I'm really impressed with our pitching staff in these first two games," continued Kennedy. "Only three walks and two of those were intentional. We keep doing that and we will be in a lot of games."

AT THE PLATE
Samuel Frontino had a solid day in his first start as a Phoenix. A graduate transfer from Pittsburgh, he led the maroon and gold with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate. The Chardon, Ohio homered and doubled with two runs scored and one RBI. He also reached on a hit-by-pitch.

Connor Coolahan hit 1-for-2 and crossed the plate once, Willie Havens turned in a 1-for-3 outing and stole a base and Charlie Granatell also batted 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. Alex Iadisernia had Elon's other hit as he doubled and drove in a run in a 1-for-4 day at the plate. 

THE RUNDOWN
Elon took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second as Frontino sent a 3-2 pitch over the wall just left of the scoreboard. However, the Stags (2-0) responded with a two-run top of the third. After Ryan Strollo led off with a single through the right side, Matt Zaffino followed with a two-run homer to left. The Phoenix were able to pull even at 2-2 in the bottom of the frame, though. Coolahan got the offense started with a hit back up the middle, Parker Haskin drew a walk and Alex Duffey reached on a fielder's choice to put runners on the corners. Iadisernia then fouled out to the corner in left field and Coolahan tagged up on the play.

The Phoenix applied the pressure in the fourth inning. With two outs, Havens singled to right and proceeded to swipe second base. Granatell then worked a full count for a base on balls before Coolahan was hit by a pitch to run the bags full. Elon could not capitalize, however, as Fairfield starting pitcher Jake Noviello got Haskin to ground out.

Fairfield jumped ahead 5-2 with another three runs in the top of the sixth. After back-to-back doubles to start the inning, Charlie Pagliarini sent a 1-1 offering to the warning track in left center. The ball hit off of Granatell's glove and the miscue put runners in scoring position for the visitors. Evans struck out the next batter and Elon elected to issue a free pass to set up a potential double play opportunity, but a throwing error helped two more runners cross the plate. The Phoenix loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of of the sixth, but Fairfield made the force out at second to protect its lead.

Sprague showed some discipline in the top of the eighth inning. After giving up a pair of one-out singles and hitting a batter to load the bases, the true freshman out of Hanover, Mass. settled down with a strikeout looking. The lefty pitcher then induced a ground out to third base. In the home half of the inning, Frontino led off with a double to the gap in left and was sent home on a Granatell knock to center field as Elon closed the gap, 5-3.

The Stags loaded the bases again in the ninth thanks to an Elon throwing error, an intentional walk and a hit batter. Elon then brought in Greenler and the Elon veteran got the job done with a ground out to short. Down to its final three outs, Elon was unable to get a runner on base as Fairfield retired the side in order and held on for the win.

"We had a couple effort plays today where we tried to do too much and it cost us. I believe if we just slow the game down, we will be fine," added Kennedy.

NOTES
- Frontino's home run was the third of his career. He hit two while at Pitt during the shortened 2020 season.
- Today was the first career start for Alex Duffey, who batted second in the order as the designated hitter. It was also the first start as a Phoenix for Frontino.
- Sprague, Nolan and DiLella all made their collegiate debuts.
- Fairfield's Peter Ostensen earned the win and Nick Grabek grabbed his second save in as many games.

UP NEXT
Elon and Fairfield close out the weekend series tomorrow with a 12 p.m. start to Game Three.