CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Elon University baseball led 1-0 through three and a half innings, but could not hold off No. 26 North Carolina as the Phoenix (1-3) fell 5-1 on the road Tuesday, Feb. 22 at Boshamer Stadium.

"Thought we pitched it well with the exception of a few pitches," head coach Mike Kennedy said afterwards. "Got behind in a few counts and they were able to make us pay. I was pleased with how our staff competed. We had one walk on the night and they kept us in the game through seven innings."

ON THE MOUND
Ian Evans drops to 0-1 after allowing two runs on seven hits. The right hander from Niagara Falls, N.Y. recorded two strikeouts and did not walk anyone in the 3.1-inning start. Kyle Greenler also had two punch outs and did not allow anyone to reach base in 1.2 innings out of the pen, and Ben Simon struck out a pair and was responsible for two runs on three hits. Sam DiLella and Cam Seguin also made appearances.

AT THE PLATE
Parker Haskin hit 1-for-3 and was also hit by a pitch. Charlie Granatell, Alex Iadisernia, Willie Havens and Luke Stephenson all finished 1-for-4. Granatell doubled, scored once and also stole a base. Stephenson also doubled and Iadisernia drove in Granatell for an RBI. Cole Reynolds drew Elon's only walk of the game.

THE RUNDOWN
Elon looked like it might break open the scoring in the top of the first as Granatell opened the game with a double over the head of the UNC right fielder. Haskin was then hit by a pitch before Iadisernia moved the pair up on a ground out to second base. The Phoenix couldn't capitalize though as Samuel Frontino went down swinging and Connor Offshack flew out to left. The Tar Heels (4-0) threatened in the bottom half of the second with two away and runners on the corners, but Reynolds fielded a ball right at him and stepped on first for the unassisted put out.

"We wasted an opportunity early to push one across with runners at second and third with one out," said Kennedy. "We need to find a way to get a run there."

The maroon and gold broke through in the third inning. With one out, Granatell reached on a fielding error by the Tar Heel shortstop and proceeded to swipe second base. Iadisernia then singled over the head of the right fielder, allowing Granatell to touch home for the 1-0 lead. The hosts looked to pull even in the home half of the frame with a pair of one-out singles, but Elon turned a 6-4-3 double play to get out of the inning.
 
Carolina took the lead with two runs in the fourth. After a single through the left side and a double to left put runners in scoring position, UNC's Johnny Castagnozzi doubled off the batter's eye. With one out, Elon then brought in Greenler and the Georgetown, Mass. native prevented any further damage with a ground out to third and a strikeout swinging.
 
UNC added an insurance run in the seventh as a hit through the left side brought in a runner from third. The Tar Heels could've pushed their lead to 4-1 on the play, but Havens got the ball back into Stephenson in time for the catcher to apply the tag at the plate. Castagnozzi rounded out the scoring with a two-run homer in the eighth.

"I like how we're competing, but we have to get some more production offensively," added Kennedy. "It's contagious. Need to get a couple guys hitting at the same time and build from there."

NOTES
- UNC now holds a 40-9 lead in the all-time series.
- After outscoring Seton Hall 40-6 last weekend, UNC's five runs were its fewest in a single game this season.
- Evans kept the Tar Heels off the board for the first three innings. This was his second start against Carolina after making his collegiate debut in Chapel Hill back on Feb. 18, 2020.
- There were only two walks in the game with both sides issuing one. Elon came into the game tied for second in the country with 1.33 walks allowed per nine innings.
- The Phoenix was also ranked third nationally with a 7.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Elon's arms combined for seven strikeouts.
- Elon turned three double plays in the game after turning three in the season-opening series versus Fairfield.
- Iadisernia, Granatell and Havens continue their hit streak, which now stands at three games.
- Elon is now 3-for-3 on stolen base attempts this year.
- Vince DiLeonardo made his first collegiate appearance as he pinch hit in the ninth inning.

UP NEXT
Elon returns to Latham Park this weekend for three games against Longwood.