Elon, N.C.- Despite leading in the ninth inning Sunday afternoon, the Elon Phoenix (9-10) failed to rally in extra innings to the Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-9).
 
The Phoenix brought the tying run to the plate three times in the bottom of the tenth but could not bring a pair of runs across and fell by the score of 9-7.
 
Senior Connor Offshack finished the day 3-for-4 with his sixth double of the year. Will Vergantino and Charlie Granatell both finished with multi-hit days for the Phoenix.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 

• For the second straight game, the Golden Gophers got on the board early this time with a leadoff home run.
• Minnesota added a second run in the top of the third on another solo blast to double their lead.
• The Golden Gophers increased their lead in the sixth, scoring via the balk to increase the lead to three.
• In the bottom of the sixth, Elon got on the board thanks to an RBI single through the left side from Connor Offshack.
• Elon took control in the seventh inning. Following a leadoff single from Vergantino, back-to-back walks would load the bases for Charlie Granatell. Granatell doubled down the right field line to bring home two runners and tie the score. Ryan Sprock picked up an RBI and reached on an error by the Gopher infield. Offshack added to his RBI total with a sacrifice fly before Will Vergantino brought two more runs home to give Elon a four-run lead.
• Minnesota answered in the eight with a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to three before chalking up three runs in the ninth inning to put the game into extra innings.
• In the tenth, a two-run home run from Minnesota would prove to be the difference and the Golden Gophers would claim their first ever win over the Phoenix, 9-7.

 
NOTES AND STATS
 

• Ryan Sprock made his second straight Sunday start for the maroon & gold. Sprock went four innings and allowed just two runs on two solo shots.
• Tate Ostrowski made his best relief appearance for the Phoenix, going one inning and strike out three.
• Connor Offshack finished with a three-hit day with a pair of RBIs in the loss to Minnesota.
• Charlie Granatell finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a double in the loss. The double gives Charlie 11 two-baggers to start the year.
• Will Vergantino finished with a pair of hits and a pair of RBIs on Sunday.
• Ryan Sprock, Justin Szestowicki and Shane Paradine all finished with a base hit.
• Elon now leads the all-time series with Minnesota, 3-1.
• This is Elon's first series win over a Power 5 opponent since Elon took all three games against Penn State back in 2015.

 
UP NEXT
 

• The Phoenix welcomes the Pirates of East Carolina to Latham Park for a Tuesday night battle. First pitch against ECU will be at 4 pm.