ELON, N.C. – Alex Iadisernia was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Elon University baseball earned a 5-4 walk-off victory over Towson on Friday, May 13 at Latham Park. The win marked No. 800 for Head Coach Mike Kennedy, who is in his 26th season leading the Phoenix (24-22, 8-10 CAA).
 
"Exciting one today," Kennedy said following the win. "We knew it was going to be tough and it certainly was. Really proud of our guys and how they have continued to battle. It hasn't been easy but these guys keep competing and playing hard for each other and today was no different."

ON THE MOUND
Kyle Greenler (4-2) held the Tigers (11-37, 1-17) scoreless for three innings to earn the win. The Georgetown, Mass. native struck out three, didn't issue a walk and gave up just two hits. Starter Joe Savino was tagged for three runs on five hits in a no decision. He also didn't walk a batter and added two strikeouts through four innings of work. Sam DiLella was responsible for the other Towson run. The freshman from Wayne, Pa. tallied two strikeouts with two hits and one walk in two innings out of the pen.

"Joe battled and I thought Sam gave us some much-needed outs," continued Kennedy. "Greenler stepped up big for us today!"

AT THE PLATE
Parker Haskin led Elon's batters as he finished 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Connor Coolahan also doubled, walked twice and scored a run in a 2-for-3 performance. Alex Duffey doubled in his only plate appearance, Iadisernia went 1-for-4 and drove in three runs, and Griffin Arnone also batted 1-for-4 with a double, one run, one RBI and one base on balls.

"I feel like we have leaned on Alex all year and he continues to deliver," added Kennedy. "Parker was great today and we needed it."

THE RUNDOWN
Neither team could convert until the third inning when Towson plated two runs on three hits to take a 2-0 lead. After Nick Brown led off the top half of the inning with a base-hit to right, Elon retired the next two batters. However, James Moses doubled to the gap in left and Elijah Dickerson brought both runners home with a single down the left-field line. The lead was short-lived though as the Phoenix answered in the home half of the frame. Haskin dropped a bunt single before Arnone and Coolahan drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Iadisernia then smacked a 3-1 pitch through the left side to knot the game at 2-2. Charlie Granatell later walked to run the bags full again and Coolahan took advantage of a passed ball to put the maroon and gold in front 3-2.

Elon added to its lead in the fourth as a pair of two-out doubles by Haskin and Arnone made it a 4-2 advantage. The visitors were able to pull even with two runs in the top of the fifth. With one out and the bases loaded, a Dickerson sacrifice fly to right cut the Phoenix lead to 4-3. The Tigers then pulled off a double steal as Elon's throw home was too late to get Nolan Young.

After Towson lined into a 4-3 double play in the top of the ninth, Duffey pinch hit for Samuel Frontino and came up big with a leadoff double to right center. Elon brought in Justin Cassella to run for the freshman, and Haskin moved Cassella up to third with his second bunt single of the game. After Haskin advanced to second, the Tigers elected to intentionally walk Coolahan to try and set up the double play. However, Iadisernia was hit by the first pitch of his at bat and Cassella crossed the plate for the win.
 
NOTES
- Kennedy is the 50th active NCAA head coach to reach 800 wins. He is also the 21st active head coach at the Division I level to reach the mark and the 2nd active CAA coach to achieve the milestone.
- Elon increases its lead in the all-time series to 18-4.
- The Phoenix is now 12-1 against the Tigers when playing at Latham Park.
- This was Elon's second win in a row in the series.
- It was the third walk-off victory of the season.
- Elon is now on a five-game win streak, its longest win streak since winning eight-straight games from May 11-24, 2018.
- The Phoenix hit .242 (8-for-33) in the game, including .273 (3-for-11) with two outs, .273 (3-for-11) with runners on and .333 (3-for-9) with runners in scoring position.
- Elon threw 92-of-128 (71.0 percent) of its pitches for strikes.
- It was Iadisernia's 10th multi-RBI game this season.
- This was the fifth multi-hit game for Haskin and the seventh for Coolahan.

UP NEXT
The teams continue the CAA series on Saturday at 6 p.m.