Spartanburg, S.C.- A strong start from Nolan Straniero coupled with four multi-hit efforts from Phoenix hitters gave Elon (10-14) a much-needed win over USC Upstate (15-11) 6-1.
 
Straniero had his best start as a Phoenix, going three of the five innings while allowing just three hits and striking out six.
 
Tank Yaghoubi had his best day at the plate in the maroon & gold. Yaghoubi finished two-for-three with a double and two runs scored. Kenny Mallory Jr., Will Vergantino, and Justin Szestowicki all finished with two hits.
 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• For the second straight game, Elon struck first on the road following a single from Kenny Mallory Jr. to lead off the game. After swiping second and advancing to third on a wild pitch, a two-out single from Will Vergantino brought Mallory Jr. to the plate.
• Nolan Straniero surrendered a leadoff double, but then made quick work of the Spartans retiring the rest of the order in a row.
• Elon added two more in the second inning after loading the bases with no outs. Ryan Sprock added another RBI to his tally on a sacrifice fly while Connor Offshack brought home Yaghoubi in the next at-bat.
• Straniero sat down Upstate 1-2-3 with a pair of strikeouts in the second.
• The Spartans struck for their first run of the game in the bottom of the third on an RBI single.
• The Phoenix got the run back and then some in the fourth. Elon began the inning with three straight hits including a Yaghoubi leadoff double. Mallory Jr. brought Yaghoubi around to score during the next at-bat. Vergantino doubled down the left field line to add another run while Justin Szestowicki added a sharp single to bring home another run.
• Tate Ostrowski worked his way out of jams in both the fourth and fifth innings to help close out the Spartans.
• The game was called early due to rain with both squads agreeing to the result.

 
NOTES AND STATS

• Nolan Straniero made another start for the Phoenix, his second midweek start. Straniero was at his best, finishing with six strikeouts to set a new D1 high. Straniero also picked up his first win as a Phoenix.
• Tate Ostrowski pitched two innings of relief and struck out a trio of Spartans.
• Kenny Mallory Jr. put together his tenth multi-hit game of the season against Upstate. Mallory Jr. finished two-for-three with a stolen base and two runs scored.
• Will Vergantino had another multi-hit game and finished with a pair of RBIs.
• Justin Szestowicki finished two-for-two with an RBI single.
• Tank Yaghoubi had his best outing as a Phoenix so far. The sophomore put together a two-for-three day with a double and two runs scored.
• Elon has now outscored USC Upstate in their two D1 meetings, 20-2. The Phoenix leads the series 2-0 when both schools are in Division I.
• The victory was the 846^th of Mike Kennedy's career.

 
UP NEXT

• Elon returns to Latham Park for a three-game weekend set with Campbell. First pitch on Friday will be at 6 pm.