ELON, N.C. – Alex Iadisernia, Charlie Granatell and Cole Reynolds all homered as Elon University baseball earned an 8-3 victory over North Carolina A&T on Tuesday night, May 10 at Latham Park.
 
"Good win tonight," head coach Mike Kennedy said afterwards. "Got off to a good start and then took advantage of a few mistakes."

ON THE MOUND
Starter Ian Evans (1-3) got the win on what marked a staff day for the Phoenix (23-22, 7-10 CAA). The right hander from Niagara Falls, N.Y. allowed one run on three hits with no walks and a pair of strikeouts through 1.2 innings. Cam Seguin, Jake Nolan, Sam DiLella and Spencer Bauer also recorded two strikeouts each while Ben Sieracki, Trevor Kirk and Kyle Greenler also made appearances.

"Pitched it well again tonight," continued Kennedy. "Pleased with the effort and really like how we are pitching it and our defense continues to get better. Need a few days of practice in preparation for a big series this weekend."

AT THE PLATE
Granatell (2-for-3) and Iadisernia (1-for-4) both hit two-run blasts while Reynolds (1-for-3) contributed a solo shot. Granatell also tripled, walked and scored three times while Reynolds added two runs, two RBIs and one walk to his totals. Justin Cassella finished 1-for-3 with a run, a walk and two stolen bases while Luke Stephenson scored once in a 1-for-4 effort.

THE RUNDOWN
The Aggies (13-34, 1-17 Big South) jumped ahead 1-0 right out of the gate as Cameran Brantley led off the game with a home run to straightaway center field. The lead was short-loved though as the maroon and gold answered with a five-run bottom of the first inning. Cassella got the frame started with a base hit to center before stealing second. Iadisernia then hit a no-doubter over the wall in right center to put the home team in front, 2-1. After Stephenson singled through the left side, Granatell followed Iadisernia's lead with another two-run shot, this time to left field. Reynolds then hit a 2-1 pitch to the right of the scoreboard for Elon's third homer of the inning.

Elon tacked on another run in the third inning. Granatell hit a one-out triple down the right-field line before Reynolds hit a ground ball back to the N.C. A&T pitcher. He tried to look Granatell back to third, but the freshman from Franklin Lakes, N.J. came home on the throw to first. In the sixth inning, back-to-back walks by Granatell and Reynolds and a sacrifice bunt from Connor Offshack moved runners into scoring position. Connor Coolahan reached on an Aggie throwing error and the miscue allowed both Granatell and Reynolds to touch home plate for the 8-1 advantage.

N.C. A&T scratched across two runs on as many hits in the top of the eighth. With one out and the bases loaded, Carlos Marte fielded a ground ball and flipped to Will Vergantino to get the force out at second. However, Elon could not complete the double play as a runner scored on the play. Brantley then drove in a run with a double to right, but Greenler induced a foul out to Reynolds to prevent any further damage.
 
NOTES
- Elon extended its lead in the all-time series to 52-10-1.
- This was the third straight win over the Aggies and Elon is now 30-2 when playing N.C. A&T at Latham Park.
- The five runs scored in the first inning ties the team's season high. Elon scored five runs in the top of the first at UNCG on March 13 and plated five runs in the second inning of Sunday's first game at Delaware.
- This was the fourth time this season Elon has hit three home runs in one game and the team's eighth multi-home run game.
- Kennedy is now one win away from reaching No. 800. He is in his 26th season as a head coach, all with the Phoenix.
- The victory moves the Phoenix over the .500 mark.
- Elon pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts in the victory. It marks the 15th time the Phoenix has recorded double-digit strikeouts this year.

VS. CANCER
Tonight marked the team's Vs. Cancer game. Following the victory, the Phoenix shaved their heads in support of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and it's mission to fund lifesaving efforts childhood cancer efforts. Fans can still donate to the team's fundraising page here and can find more information on the PBTF and its Vs. Cancer campaign here. Additionally, the team will be hosting a Home Run Derby fundraiser on Wednesday, May 11 at Latham Park beginning at 7 p.m.

"Tonight's Vs. Cancer event was awesome," added Kennedy. "Tristan Corcoran came up with the idea of auctioning off haircuts and it turned out fantastic as we raised over $3700! Really proud of our guys and all those who took part in the event tonight. The generosity of those donating was incredible!"

UP NEXT
The Phoenix takes on Towson this weekend, May 13-15, in a three-game conference series at Latham Park.