Elon, N.C. –
Justin Cassella blasted a pinch hit three-run homer to help Elon overcome an early 2-0 deficit in a 6-3 home victory over UNC Asheville Friday night at Latham Park. Cassella's bomb broke a 3-3 tie and the Elon bullpen shut down the Bulldogs to get the win.
ON THE MOUND
Joe Savino (2-4) pitched 4 1/3 innings in relief to pick up the victory, allowing just three hits and a walk, while striking out four batters.
Trevor Kirk came on to retire all seven batters he faced and
Ben Simon struck out two batters in the ninth for his second save of the season. Along with
Ian Evans, who started the game and pitched the first 1 1/3 innings, the staff struck out seven, while allowing seven hits and three walks.
AT THE PLATE
Justin Cassella had the big hit, a three-run pinch hit homer to break the 3-3 tie, but he stayed on to play centerfield and later added a walk and a stolen base.
Charlie Granatell was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
Alex Iadisernia,
Cole Reynolds,
Will Vergantino and
Carlos Marte all doubled as five of Elon's eight hits were the extra-base variety.
THE RUNDOWN
UNC Asheville got the scoring started quickly, scoring twice in the top of the first on four hits. Two of those knocks were infield singles but Robbie Burnett's triple was the big hit of the frame, plating a run.
Elon tied the score in the bottom of the second as Vergantino opened the frame with a double. Marte doubled down the right field line to drive in the first run and Granatell followed with an RBI single to knot the score at 2-2 each.
Elon took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth as
Samuel Frontino drove in a run with an RBI single. After UNC Asheville tied the score at 3-3 in the top of the fifth, Cassella hit the game-deciding homer in the bottom half of the inning. Marte walked and Granatell singled to set the stage.
From there, Elon's pitching shut down the Bulldogs, retiring the final 13 batters consecutively.
UP NEXT
Elon continues the weekend series Saturday by hosting UNC Asheville at 1:30 pm. The doubleheader start time has been pushed back due to forecasted precipitation.
