Elon, N.C.- The Elon Phoenix began their 2023 Fall World Series on Friday night in front of the Elon faithful at Latham Park. Team Gold would prevail by the score of 5-1 in game one of the series.
The two teams were divided up and split among captains
Ben Sieracki and
Connor Offshack. The draft took place earlier this week, with those selected by Sieracki joining Team Cardinal and Offshack's choices joining the senior on Team Gold.
Numerous players shined for both squads during game one, but two newcomers showcased their talents to the Phoenix faithful. Freshman
Trey Tiffan of the Gold Team and UNC transfer
Justin Szestowicki put on a show for their respective sides.
Trey Tiffan got things started in the top of the first inning for the Golds. Following an infield single by the captain Offshack,
Trey Tiffan continued his hot fall and launched a ball over the left-center field fence to put Team Gold on the board early. Team Gold would also get a lift from starter
Henry Cone. Cone, who joins the Phoenix after stints at McLennan CC and Baylor, struck out five in his three innings of work allowing just one run.
That one run came off the bat of
Justin Szestowicki who took a slider in on the hands and sent it over the fence, just shy of Lake Mary Nell across the street. This was Szestowicki's second home run during the fall season in the past two games with Szestowicki sending one out of "The Couch" in Winston-Salem during Elon's matchup with Wake Forest.
Team Gold would answer the solo shot with a three-spot in the top of the fourth inning. Returner
Charlie Granatell would find some outfield grass with a bases loaded, two out single to give Team Gold the run back and then some. Team Gold would tack on another run off of a passed ball and the lead would stay at four following the top half of the fourth.
A pair of lefties took off during the later innings. Fifth-year reliever
Liam Dabagian threw three innings of two-hit ball, with his Team Cardinal counterpart
Itai Spinoza throwing 3.1 innings while striking out five and walking none.
The battery of
Christo Garrelts and
Alex Duffey would end the hopes of Team Cardinal in game one with the two combining for a "strike em' out, throw em' out" double play. Garrelts would put away freshman
Tyler Johns while Duffey fired a pellet to Tiffan to pick off
Cole Mascolo at first. Team Gold would come away with a 5-1 victory and have now taken a 1-0 series lead.
Team Gold Stars of the Night:
Team Cardinal Stars of the Night:
