Elon, N.C.- Luke Stephenson set a career best with seven RBI as the Elon Phoenix (24-14, 13-6 CAA) raced to an 18-run outburst against the Stony Brook Sea Wolves.
 
Stephenson, Justin Cassella and Cole Reynolds would all homer in the 18-run performance. The 18 runs are the most for the Phoenix at Latham Park since Elon plated 21 runs against Rider in 2018.
 
Justin Mitrovich got the start on the mound and claimed his fifth win of the season. Phoenix pitching delivered more punchouts as Mitrovich, Spencer Bauer, and Ben Sieracki combined for 13 strikeouts in the win.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first inning was a quiet one for the Phoenix bats as Elon was sat down one-two-three with a trio of strikeouts from Stony Brook's starter Josh O'Neill.
• Stony Brook would have their second inning end following a 9-5-1-6 double play after it was determined Matt Brown-Eiring left second base early trying to tag up on a fly ball.
• Elon would strike first as Cole Reynolds knocked his sixth home run of the season over the fence to give the Phoenix a 1-0 lead.
• Both teams would scatter hits until the bottom of the fifth when the Phoenix would strike again. Elon would go to their small ball game following a single to start the inning from Justin Cassella. Following successful bunts by both James Broderick and Connor Coolahan, Cassella would come around to score to give the Phoenix a two run lead. Luke Stephenson would claim his first RBI on a double to left center field to increase the lead to three.
• Stony Brook would answer with two runs of their own following a trio of hits. A double by Evan Giordano, a single by Shane Paradine and a double from Derek Yalon would yield two runs for the Sea Wolves.
• Elon would answer with one of their biggest innings of the season in the bottom of the sixth. All with two outs, the Phoenix would bring across seven runs. Connor Offshack would double with one out then the Phoenix would begin to work the counts. Ryan Sprock would pick up an RBI on a bases loaded walk and Luke Stephenson would bring in two more runs on another RBI double. Following two more walks, Tanner Holliman would bring home two more runs on an RBI single to give the Phoenix seven for the frame.
• The Sea Wolves would get to Spencer Bauer in the top of the seventh when Evan Fox launched a home run to give Stony Brook life. The Sea Wolves would bring home another run on an RBI groundout to shorten the gap.
• Luke Stephenson would drive in another run in the bottom of the seventh on a sacrifice fly and Elon would grab two more unearned runs to bring the tally to 13.
• The Phoenix put the nails in the coffin in the eighth inning. Justin Cassella led off the inning with a moon shot over the new video board to give him eight homers on the year. Bryce Jeske would claim an RBI double during his lone at bat of the ballgame to increase the lead. Luke Stephenson would then add a moon shot of his own, this time bringing in three runs for Elon.
• Ben Sieracki would strikeout three batters in the top of the ninth inning to send the Phoenix faithful home happy, 18-5 winners.

NOTES AND STATS

• With the win against Stony Brook in game two, the Phoenix have now claimed their first ever win over the Sea Wolves.
• Luke Stephenson extended his hitting streak to 14 straight games, giving the backstop the longest hitting streak by a Phoenix batter this season and the longest hitting streak by a primary catcher in Elon's CAA history.  
• Stephenson's seven RBI were the most in a game during his career and it is the most RBI for a Phoenix since Charlie Granatell brought home seven runs against the Towson Tigers last season.
• With his solo shot, Justin Cassella clinched his eighth home run of the season and his second straight game with a home run.
• The 18 runs are tied for the most on the season in one game, along with a game versus Monmouth. The 18 runs are the most for the Phoenix since a visit from Rider in 2018.
• After having his on-base streak snapped in game one, the first baseman bounced back, reaching base six times during game two.
• Connor Coolahan finished the ball game 2-for-3 in the leadoff spot and would cross home plate three times on the night.
• James Broderick also finished with a 2-for-3 night against Stony Brook and scored three runs as well.

UP NEXT
 

• The Phoenix will continue their home stand at Latham Park with game three of the weekend series with Stony Brook. First pitch time for Sunday's contest is 1 p.m.