Elon, N.C.- The combination of Kolby Pascarelli and Sam Nomura lifted the Elon Phoenix (9-9) to a 6-5 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-9) Saturday afternoon.
 
Pascarelli and Nomura combined for 4.1 innings out of the bullpen allowing just four hits while striking out a pair of batters and walking none. Pascarelli earned his second win of the season while Nomura collected his second save.
 
At the plate, eight different Phoenix recorded a hit, while Kenny Mallory Jr. and Ryan Sprock both recorded their ninth multi-hit games of the season. Connor Offshack clubbed his fourth home run of the season which now leads the club.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Minnesota topped their run total from yesterday following a first inning, two-run home run that gave the Golden Gophers an early 2-0 lead.
• Not to be outdone, senior Connor Offshack responded with a two-run jack of his own to even the score.
• Following a clean second inning, a walk by Adam Berry and consecutive singles from Kenny Mallory Jr. and Charlie Granatell would bring home the go ahead run. After two innings, the Phoenix led 3-2.
• The Golden Gophers countered in the third to tie the score after a solo home run on a full count.
• Both teams would be held quiet in the fourth, but the Golden Gophers got to starter Ben Sieracki in the fifth. Three hits in four batters would give Minnesota a pair of runs to restore their two-run lead.
• Much like the first inning, the Phoenix offense responded. With two outs, Justin Szestowicki doubled down the left field line to bring home Ryan Sprock and put two runners in scoring position. Elon would bring around two more runs after three straight walks to restore the Phoenix lead.
• Kolby Pascarelli settled in quickly and made swift work of the Golden Gophers in the sixth.
• Minnesota's bullpen danced with fire in the seventh allowing a leadoff double to Alex Duffey then a single to Szestowicki. The Phoenix would not bring home a run to score however and the lead stayed at one.
• After a pair of eighth inning singles, Sam Nomura came to the mound for the Phoenix. Nomura caught a Golden Gopher looking then retired a pinch hitter with a groundout to second to retire the side.
• Nomura returned to the mound in the ninth and after surrendering a leadoff single, Nomura made a quick play to retire the runner at second on a sacrifice bunt attempt to get the lead runner. The sophomore put together back-to-back flyouts to end the ball game which earned him his second save and Elon's second straight win.

 
NOTES AND STATS
 

• Ben Sieracki made his fourth start of the year. Sieracki went 4.2 innings while striking three and walking two.
• Kolby Pascarelli earned his second win of the season and has now allowed just one run in his last five appearances with just two walks in those five outings.
• Sam Nomura earned his second save in his tenth appearance on the season. Nomura continues to pace the Phoenix and the CAA in appearances so far this season.
• Kenny Mallory Jr. collected a pair of singles to earn his ninth multi-hit game this season. Mallory Jr has reached safely in all 16 games he has started which marks 16 consecutive games.
• Charlie Granatell drove in a run with an RBI single in the second inning. Granatell now is tied for third on the Phoenix in RBI with 18.
• Connor Offshack delivered a first inning, two-run home run to draw even with the Golden Gophers. Offshack's home run gave him four on the season which is the club high.
• Shane Paradine extended his hitting streak to three consecutive games following his game-tying home run and walk-off single last night.
• Justin Szestowicki registered his third multi-hit game of the season and continues to produce with a four-game hitting streak of his own.
• Alex Duffey and James Broderick both doubled against Minnesota Saturday. The double was Broderick's first extra-base hit since Elon's CAA Tournament victory over Charleston last season.
• The Phoenix is now 3-0 all-time against Minnesota.
• Elon is now 8-6 at Latham Park this season. The Phoenix has won five of their last six home games including three straight contests.

 
UP NEXT
 

• The Phoenix will return to Latham Park on Sunday looking for their first weekend sweep of the season. First pitch against the Golden Gophers will be at noon.