Greensboro, N.C. - The Elon Phoenix (4-5) fell to the UNCG Spartans (4-5) for the second consecutive day, dropping a 4-1 decision in Greensboro Wednesday. The Phoenix bullpen put in a bounce-back performance with Joe Savino and Liam Dabagian showcasing solid outings.  
 
How it Happened: 

• Elon starter Ben Sieracki started the game off strong by retiring the first three Spartan batters in the bottom of the first inning.
• After two singles by Cole Reynolds and Will Vergantino, the Phoenix were unable to capitalize as they left both runners stranded.
• The Spartans would quickly answer with their first run of the ball game as GC Jarman hit a sacrifice fly to score Dosi Jonas to give UNCG a 1-0 lead.
• UNCG would add two more runs in the bottom of the third inning as Joe Savino entered the game with runners on second and third with one out. Mitchell Smith would rope a double down the left field line scoring both runs, and UNCG would increase its lead to three.
• Joe Savino then made quick work of the Spartans, retiring four straight and only allowing two more hits throughout the remainder of his outing.
• Justin Cassella continued his strong performances against left-handed pitching with a base hit in a pinch-hit situation during the top of the sixth. Cassella would then steal second base and later score on a Connor Offshack groundout for the Phoenix's only run of the contest.
• Following a Rowan Watt sixth inning homer, Liam Dabagian relieved Joe Savino. It was another strong outing for the southpaw as he struck out three Spartans in 2.1 innings of relief.
• During the final three frames, the Elon bats could only find singles by Cole Reynolds, Justin Cassella and Ryan Sprock, none of whom made it to second base following their hits.
• Spartan reliever Luke Thomas closed out the Phoenix in the ninth as Cole Reynolds bounced into a double play to end the ballgame. UNCG would prevail by a score of 4-1.

 
Stats and Notes:

• Liam Dabagian put in another solid outing. In his third relief appearance of the season, the lefty did not surrender a run and struck out three Spartans. The three punch outs are Dabagian's first of the season.
• Connor Offshack continued his streak of starts and RBI. Offshack started his fourth game of the young season, and in every game that he has started Offshack has obtained at least one run batted in.
• Justin Cassella marked his best performance of the season at the plate. The outfielder pinch hit for Adam Berry in the sixth and finished 2-for-2 with two singles, a stolen base and a run scored.
• Phoenix pitching struck out an even 10 Spartan batters with Sieracki striking out one, Savino striking out six and Dabagian striking out three.
• Two Phoenix batters finished with multi-hit games. Cole Reynolds continued his good start to the year by notching two singles and Cassella off the bench marked his first multi-hit game of the season.

 
Up Next:

• The Phoenix will return to Latham Park for a weekend series against the Quinnipiac Bobcats. The series with the Bobcats will feature the first three games of a seven game homestand at Latham Park. First pitch time for Friday's contest will be 4 p.m.