ELON, N.C. – Charlie Granatell homered twice and drove in seven runs as Elon University baseball defeated Towson 11-6 on Sunday, May 15 at Latham Park for the 2-1 series win. Elon is now 25-23 overall and 9-11 in league play and clinched its spot in the CAA Championship tournament.

"Offense showed up today," said head coach Mike Kennedy. "Coming off the loss yesterday, I thought it was important to try and get a lead early and Chuck's blast in the first was a shot in the arm. He had a great day and I was really pleased to see Cole Reynolds have a great day at the plate. He is capable of being a very good hitter in this league. Hoping this weekend gets him some confidence for the home stretch."

ON THE MOUND
Shea Sprague (5-2) held the Tigers (12-38, 2-18 CAA) to two runs on five hits and one walk to earn the win. The true freshman from Hanover, Mass. added three strikeouts in five complete innings. Liam Dabagian, Kyle Greenler and Ben Simon all made appearances in relief.

"Shea was very good again today and outside of one pitch had a great outing," continued Kennedy.

AT THE PLATE
Granatell (4-for-5) was a triple short of hitting for the cycle as he hit a grand slam, a two-run homer, a double and a single. He scored three runs and added seven RBIs and a stolen base to his totals. Reynolds went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs and one RBI. Luke Stephenson batted 1-for-2 with a double, one walk, one stolen base and two runs. Griffin Arnone, Alex Iadisernia and Parker Haskin all ended up 1-for-4 and Will Vergantino chipped in a 1-for-3 outing.

"I really liked how we responded offensively today each time they made a run at us," added Kennedy.

THE RUNDOWN
Elon set the tone early with a four-run bottom of the first. With two outs, Iadisernia walked, Reynolds singled to right and Stephenson was hit by pitch to load the bases. Granatell then connected on a 1-0 pitch as his grand slam to left gave the Phoenix a 4-0 lead. Elon then made it 5-0 in the fourth inning as Granatell led off with a double down the left-field line, moved up to third on a Haskin bunt single and came around on a Vergantino sacrifice fly to right.

Towson got two runs back in the fifth on a Jacob Terao two-run blast to left and got to within 5-3 in the top of the sixth as Elijah Dickerson went from first to third on a Jack McLaughlin double to left center and was waved home as Justin Cassella mishandled the ball. Elon responded with two runs in the home half of the sixth as Haskin and Cassella came home on an Arnone double to left to make it 9-3.

Granatell homered for the second time in the game with a two-run bomb in the bottom of the seventh. The Tiger offense wasn't done though as the visitors plated three runs on four hits in the eighth. Dickerson started off the frame with a solo shot to straightaway center. Later with two outs and runners on the corners, a Jake Lysaght base hit to right center scored one run before Terao followed with another RBI single to center field to trim Elon's lead to 9-6.

Elon rounded out the scoring in the bottom of the eighth. After Iadisernia led off with a two-base hit down the right-field line, Reynolds also doubled to right field. He then reached third on a Carlos Marte sac bunt and crossed the plate on a Granatell flare to left center. Simon then closed the door as he retired the side in order in the top of the ninth.
 
NOTES
- Elon now leads the all-time series 19-5.
- It was Elon's third-straight series victory.
- Granatell's seven RBIs are the most in a game since Tyler McVicar drove in seven runs on May 8, 2016 against Delaware.
- Reynolds three hits ties his career high.
- Elon scored double-digit runs for the first time since a 10-2 win at James Madison on April 3.
- The Phoenix outhit the Tigers, 12-11.

UP NEXT
Elon concludes the regular season next Thursday-Saturday, May 19-21 with a home series against CAA foe William & Mary.