Towson, M.D.- The Elon Phoenix (18-9, 9-2 CAA) offense set high marks for the season in hits and plated 17 runs in their win over the Towson Tigers (8-21, 2-9 CAA) by a score of 17-5. Cole Reynolds and Connor Coolahan paced the offense, with Reynolds homering and Coolahan reaching base a career-high six times.
 
Justin Cassella hit his third grand slam of the season in the eighth inning and finished the day 2-for-5 with four RBI. With two hits, Cassella extends his streak of multi-hit games to six.
 
Ryan Sprock and the Phoenix bullpen continued Elon's streak of allowing six runs or less in conference play. The combination of Joe Savino and Sean O'Connell pitched the last 5.1 innings and allowed no earned runs to slam the door.
 
Following losses from both College of Charleston and UNCW, the Phoenix regain their one game lead atop the CAA standings at 9-2.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Elon got started fast in the top of the first inning with a leadoff single from Charlie Granatell. Following a walk by pitcher Ryan Sprock, Luke Stephenson singled home Granatell for the game's first run.
• Towson would answer in the bottom of the first with a Bryce Frederick double scoring one run, then a double by Jeremy Wagner would score two to give Towson a 3-1 lead.
• Elon would chip away at the Towson lead half an inning later when Charlie Granatell grounded into a fielder's choice that would score Connor Coolahan.
• The Phoenix would get their first big inning in the top of the third using some clutch two-out hitting. James Broderick would give the Phoenix the lead following a two-out single up the middle to score Coolahan and Cassella. Ryan Sprock would then hit a bases-loaded two out single to right to give himself a bigger cushion and give the Phoenix four runs in the inning.
• Connor Coolahan would single home Cole Reynolds in the top of the fourth giving Coolahan this third trip to first base on the day and Elon their fourth straight scoring inning.
• Towson's Jordan Peyton would homer down the left field line to cut into the Phoenix lead again.
• Ryan Sprock moved to DH after stepping off the mound and he would now help Joe Savino at the plate. A single in the fifth followed by a single by Stephenson would set up Cole Reynolds would launch a home run to left field, giving Elon a 10-4 lead.
• Savino would continue to work into the sixth when Towson would gain an unearned run back following a single by Bobby Spencer.
• Connor Coolahan would continue his career day in the seventh inning by tripling home a pair of runs giving him his third RBI of the day and giving Elon 12 runs on the day.
• Elon would then put another five-run inning together in the top of the eighth following a Cole Reynolds RBI walk and a Justin Cassella grand slam that would give Elon their second highest run total of the season.
• Sean O'Connell would pitch a near perfect final two innings, securing the Phoenix a 17-5 victory.

NOTES AND STATS

• With the win against Towson, Elon claimed their ninth conference win of the season, matching last year's total. This season Elon secured the ninth win on April 1, while last year's team accomplished their ninth conference win on May 15.
• Elon secured their second highest run total of the season with 17. This only trails the Phoenix' performance against Monmouth in March when Elon secured 18 runs against the Hawks.
• The 18 hits by the Phoenix are the most in a game since 2018 when the Phoenix slashed Rider for 19 hits on March 18^th.
• The Phoenix have now scored in double figures in five CAA games when last season Elon accomplished that feat just three times.
• For the third time this season, Elon batter's drew double digit walks. The Phoenix drew 11 walks against the Tigers on Saturday and for the eighth time this season Elon drew more walks than strikeouts.
• Cole Reynolds notched the first four-hit game of his career with the Phoenix, finishing 4-for-5. Reynolds picked up his fourth home run of the season and secured season highs in RBI and runs scored with four each.
• Justin Cassella knocked his third grand slam of the season over Towson's deep center field wall. The home run by Cassella traveled 446 feet and gave Cassella his sixth multi-hit game in a row.
• Connor Coolahan had a career day at the plate finishing 4-for-4 and reaching base a total of six times. Coolahan's conference numbers are at the top of the charts in the CAA. Coolahan is batting .455 during conference play good for second in the conference. His on-base percentage during CAA play is .636, which leads the conference.
• Ryan Sprock struck out four batters on the mound in just under four innings pitched while walking just one. Sprock also continued to swing the bat well, finishing 2-for-3 at the plate and walking three times.
• James Broderick finished 2-for-4 and expanded his CAA lead in base on balls with 24 free passes.
• The Phoenix are averaging over eight runs per game since debuting their new pinstriped gold uniforms.
• Elon claimed their 20^th win in series history against Towson and claimed their 15^th win against the Tigers as members of the CAA.

UP NEXT

• The Phoenix will take on Towson in game three of this weekend series. The game will serve as a rubber match between the two teams as Elon searches for its tenth win in conference play. First pitch time for Sunday's game will be 1 p.m.