ELON, N.C. – Alex Iadisernia scored from third on a Parker Haskin sacrifice fly to center field and Elon University baseball earned a 4-3 come-from-behind win over Longwood on Saturday, Feb. 26 at Latham Park. With the win, the Phoenix improved to 3-3 on the season and secured its first series victory.

"Tough day for us offensively," said head coach Mike Kennedy. "We were given free baserunners throughout the day and just did not take advantage of them. They helped us in the ninth some and we were able to put together some tough at bats. Parker got just enough of it to score the game winner."

ON THE MOUND
Ben Simon (1-0) got the win after throwing 1.1 innings out of the pen. The East Windsor, N.J. native did not give up a run or a hit while issuing two walks with two strikeouts. Starter Joe Savino held the Lancers (3-4) to three runs on six hits and one base on balls in 6.0 innings. He finished the outing with 10 strikeouts. Sam DiLella and Cam Seguin also made appearances.

"I thought we competed well on the mound," added Kennedy. "I thought Joe was outstanding."

AT THE PLATE
Justin Cassella hit 1-for-3 with a double, two runs scored, two walks and two stolen bases. Connor Coolahan doubled, drove in a run and earned a base on balls in a 1-for-3 effort. Luke Stephenson and Willie Havens also went 1-for-3, with Stephenson adding a run and a walk to his totals and Havens walking twice. Iadisernia batted 1-for-5 with a run and an RBI while Samuel Frontino had Elon's other hit in a 1-for-2 day at the plate.

THE RUNDOWN
Longwood struck first with a run in the top of the first. Elon erased a Lancer runner as Stephenson threw out a runner trying to steal, but the next batter homered to right field to give the guests a 1-0 early lead. The Phoenix then tied the game at 1-1 in the second inning as a Coolahan double down the left-field line allowed Stephenson to score from second. Later in the bottom of the fifth, Elon jumped ahead 2-1 as an Iadisernia ground out to second brought home Cassella from third.

The Lancers wrestled back the lead in the top of the sixth as a two-run homer by Hunter Gilliam made it a 3-2 ball game. Elon had an opportunity with two outs and runners on the corners in the seventh. Longwood then intentionally walked Havens to load the bases, but Cole Reynolds could not capitalize on the opportunity as the first baseman grounded out to first. Elon erased another runner in the eighth. After a leadoff single up the middle and a stolen base, DiLella picked off the runner as Haskin applied the tag.

Down to its final three outs and still trailing 3-2, Cassella drew a leadoff walk before swiping second base. Alex Duffey also walked and was pinch run for by Griffin Arnone. After Iadisernia reached on a fielder's choice with Longwood taking the force out at second, the Lancers intentionally walked Havens again to run the bags full. Cassella then touched home and knotted the game at 3-3 as Reynolds was hit by a pitch. That set up Haskin, who smacked a 1-2 pitch to center field that was deep enough for Iadisernia to tag up on. 

NOTES
- This was the second time in his career that Savino recorded double-digit strikeouts.
- Vince DiLeonardo made his first career start.
- It was the second career win for Simon.
- Elon now leads the all-time series 6-1, to include a 5-1 record versus the Lancers when playing at Latham Park.
- The Phoenix is now 5-for-5 on stolen base attempts.
- Elon's arms combined to throw 95-of-140 (67.9 percent) pitches for strikes.

UP NEXT
Sunday's series finale, originally scheduled for a 1 p.m. start, has been pushed back to 2 p.m. in an effort to avoid inclement weather expected in the area.