Elon, N.C. – Sophomore pitcher Shea Sprague extended his scoreless inning streak to start the season to 12 innings, while Luke Stephenson and Connor Offshack blasted home runs as the Elon baseball team defeated Akron 9-1 Friday evening at Latham Park. Elon improved to 3-2 with the win, while Akron falls to 2-3 following the loss. The two teams will play again Saturday and Sunday.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Elon got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second as a Luke Stephenson single and a Tanner Holliman double put runners in scoring position. Cole Reynolds would drive in the run on a ground out to shortstop.
• Elon went ahead 2-0 in the third with a Will Vergantino walk followed by a Charlie Granatell double and a Kenny Mallory Jr. walk. Ryan Sprock singled to left field to make it 2-0.
• Elon blew the game open in the bottom of the fourth. Connor Offshack opened the offensive barrage with a one out single and Vergantino followed with a single. Granatell then drove both home with a double down the left field line for a 4-0 lead. Mallory Jr. walked for the second straight inning and then Luke Stephenson hit a two out, three-run homer to left field for a 7-0 lead.
• The Phoenix closed out its scoring in the bottom of the fifth as Justin Cassella led off with a walk and then Offshack blasted a pitch off the centerfield batting eye for a 9-0 lead.
• Akron broke up the shutout in the top of the seventh as a throwing error allowed the Zips to get on the scoreboard for the 9-1 final.

 
NOTES AND STATS

• Shea Sprague pitched six scoreless innings for the second consecutive outing, allowing just four hits and no walks, while striking out five batters. He also induced a double play.
• Sprague's career ERA improved to 1.58. He is one inning shy of qualifying for Elon's career ERA school record (minimum 75 IP) but would rank first by more than a run.
• Elon's relievers pitched three innings, allowing just one hit and a walk, striking out three batters. Itai Spinoza, Ethan Haislip and Sam Nomura pitched an inning each.
• Charlie Granatell led Elon with three hits, scoring a run and driving in two.
• Luke Stephenson was 2-for-5 with two runs and three RBI.
• Tanner Holliman and Connor Offshack each had two hits. Holliman added a stolen base and Offshack had two RBI.
• Elon's nine runs and 11 hits were both season highs, as were the team's five extra base hits.
• Elon's team ERA improved to 2.40 over the first five games, among the top 25 nationally.
• The Phoenix's 3-2 start to the season is the program's best since beginning 6-1 to open the 2020 campaign.

 
UP NEXT

• Elon hosts Akron Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
• The Phoenix will then play a home-and-home midweek series with UNCG, hosting the Spartans Tuesday at 4 p.m. and playing on the road Wednesday at 4 p.m.
• Elon will then host Quinnipiac for a three-game series next weekend.