Elon, N.C.- Justin Cassella and Tanner Holliman combined for seven hits as the Elon Phoenix (29-19, 16-8 CAA) moved one step closer to clinching their spot at the CAA Championships in Charleston. Connor Coolahan, Charlie Granatell, and James Broderick joined in with multi-hit games of their own in the Phoenix' 11-2 victory over the North Carolina A&T Aggies (18-27, 10-16 CAA).
 
Cassella and Holliman continued to race for the home run lead on the team as Cassella hit his 13^th of the season following Holliman who launched his 12^th earlier in the game. The duo becomes the first pair of Phoenix hitters to eclipse 12 home runs in the same season since seven different Phoenix clubbed 12 or more home runs in the historic 2009 season.
 
Shea Sprague claimed his sixth win of the season, matching his win total from a season ago. Sprague was dominant, allowing just five hits over 6.2 innings pitched. Sprague struck out six batters giving him 75 total strikeouts on the season. Ben Simon and Joe Sprake combined for 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.
 
How It Happened
 

• Shea Sprague got the Friday start for the Phoenix and his first two innings of work did not disappoint. Sprague needed just 15 pitches to retire the first six batters in order.
• The Phoenix bats would strike first in the bottom of the second. Following back-to-back singles to begin the inning, Tanner Holliman would score on a fielder's choice and Charlie Granatell would knock home Connor Offshack with a sacrifice fly.
• The Aggies would answer with a run in the top of the third inning following an RBI single from Cort Maynard.
• Elon would get that run back and one more in the bottom half of the frame thanks to a Tanner Holliman home run, his 12^th on the season.
• The Phoenix would add two more runs in the bottom of the fourth when Justin Cassella retook the team home run lead with a two-run homer over the center field wall. Elon would tack on one more run in the bottom of the fifth with a sacrifice fly from Ryan Sprock.
• Shea Sprague would have his day conclude when his 112^th pitch was rocketed off the wall by Maynard, giving him two RBI on the day and knocking Sprague out of the ball game.
• Elon would blow the game open even more in the bottom of the seventh when Justin Cassella tripled into right field with the bases loaded, scoring all three runs, and giving the Phoenix 11 runs on the night.
• Ben Simon and Joe Sprake would shut the door for the Phoenix in the final two innings clinching the Phoenix' 16^th conference win by the score of 11-2.

 
Notes and Stats
 

• Friday night's game marked the fourth straight contest where Phoenix batters collected double-digit hits.
• Justin Cassella launched his 13^th home run of the season continuing his terrific month and a half stretch that has featured nine home runs in his last 22 games. Cassella claimed four hits which ties a career high and drove in five runs which also matched a career high.
• Tanner Holliman put his name into the Phoenix record book on Friday night. Holliman became the first Phoenix hitter in 15 years to claim double-digit home runs and double-digit stolen bases in the same season.
• James Broderick collected another multi-hit game, extending his hot second half of the season. Broderick's fourth multi-hit game in 11 matchups has increase his average nearly 30 points as his average now sits at .246.
• Connor Coolahan continues to get on base and deliver in the batter's box. Coolahan reached base four times against the Aggies in game one, collecting two hits and two walks as well as scoring two runs.
• Shea Sprague picked up his sixth win of the season along with his 75^th strikeout of the year to lead the team. Sprague also matches his win total from a season ago, giving the sophomore 12 career victories.
• Charlie Granatell is exploding out of his hitting slump following a 2-for-5 night with one run and two RBI. Granatell's average is now .272 and claimed his 100^th hit of his Elon career with a single in the fifth inning.

 
Up Next
 
Tomorrow's game with the Aggies has been moved up to a 1 P.M. start time due to weather in the area around the original start time. The two will play Sunday at 1 P.M. to complete their first CAA weekend s