Elon, N.C.- In his first at-bat of the game, Will Vergantino floated an RBI single into left-center field to cap a ninth inning comeback win for the Phoenix over UMass, 10-9.
 
Elon (7-8) was behind by a single run going into the bottom of the ninth after surrendering three runs to the UMass Minutemen (3-7) in the top half of the frame. A home run from Charlie Granatell would tie the score before Vergantino would end it with a bases loaded single.
 
Granatell, Ryan Sprock and Connor Offshack finished with multi-hit days at the plate. Alex Duffey got the Phoenix on the board in the third inning with a lead-off, opposite field home run to get the scoring started for Elon.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 

• UMass got to Elon starting pitcher Ryan Sprock early with a two-run home run in the first inning to jump out to the two-run advantage.
• Following a clean inning from Sprock in the second, a solo home run in the third would stretch the UMass lead to three.
• The Phoenix responded in the bottom half of the frame. Alex Duffey got the inning started with a solo home run to open the Phoenix scoring. Kenny Mallory Jr. doubled home Vince Fattore from first base to bring home another run. Mallory Jr. scored from third after an infield single from Ryan Sprock to tie the score.
• UMass immediately answered with two more runs. Christo Garrelts came into the game with the bases loaded and only surrendered one run on a double play ball to get out of the inning.
• The Minutemen scored on a balk in the top of the sixth inning to jump back ahead by three runs.
• In the bottom of the sixth, the Phoenix began a string of runs with two in the bottom of the sixth. Hits from Charlie Granatell, a reached-on error from Sprock and a double from Offshack, got the Phoenix back into the game. Shane Paradine brought home Offshack on a sacrifice fly to get the Phoenix within one.
• Elon tied the score in the seventh when Granatell reached on an error by the Minutemen first baseman.
• Sam Nomura continued to shut down the Minutemen, going his first two and two thirds' innings on the mound scoreless.
• Elon grabbed the lead in the bottom of the eighth thanks to an RBI single to right center field from Paradine.
• UMass did not go away quietly with three runs in the ninth registering five hits, all of them singles.
• Down a run with three outs to play, the Phoenix tied the score with one swing from Granatell who sent the ball into the trees over the left field wall to tie the score. In the next at bat, Sprock put himself into scoring position with a double to left field. Offshack was intentionally walked after two balls to begin his at-bat then Tanner Holliman reached following a hit-by-pitch.
• Vergantino capped the series with a single to shallow left-center field that would score Sprock from third and give the Phoenix their second straight, weekend series win.

 
NOTES AND STATS
 

• Ryan Sprock made his first start on the mound this season following double-digit starts on the mound a year ago.
• Christo Garrelts put in another fine performance of relief, allowing no hits and one earned run in 2.1 innings of work.
• Kolby Pascarelli continued his streak of solid relief appearances. He recorded the final two outs in the top of the ninth and collected his first collegiate win.
• Will Vergantino made another memory on the Latham Park surface following his 5-for-5 night against NJIT late last month. The walk-off hit was Elon's first since the Phoenix walked off Quinnipiac last season in extra innings.
• Charlie Granatell hit his third home run of the season in the ninth inning Sunday. The home run for Granatell was the tenth of his Phoenix career and his RBI count climbed to 76 in his Elon career.
• Ryan Sprock pitched a season high three innings against UMass and recorded a season high four strikeouts. Sprock scored three runs on Sunday, giving him 17 runs scored on the season. He has already surpassed his runs scored total from his freshman season in just 15 games.
• Kenny Mallory Jr. found his way into the column again as he continues to pace the Phoenix in batting average. His 25 hits already surpass his total from last season, and Mallory did it in 37 fewer games.
• Connor Offshack continued his fine week with another multi-hit game on Sunday. Offshack finished the series against UMass 6-for-11 at the plate. He finished the week with eight hits, recorded multiple hits in every game this week.
• Alex Duffey hit his second home run of the season with both of them coming at Latham Park.
• Shane Paradine recorded a multi-RBI game against UMass with a pair of RBIs including the go-ahead RBI in the eighth inning.

 
UP NEXT
 

• The Phoenix travels to High Point to take on the Panthers. A first pitch time will be announced this week.