Elon, N.C.- The Elon Phoenix (6-8) took game one of a doubleheader with the UMass Minutemen (3-6) Friday afternoon before falling in game two later that evening.
 
Justin Mitrovich and the Phoenix put together their best all-around performance in game one, defeating the Minutemen 10-0 in eight innings with the mercy rule being applied. Elon fell in the second game, capping the night in a 12-2 loss resulting in a Friday split.
 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Game One

• Justin Mitrovich set the tone early for the Phoenix in game one by retiring five of the nine batters he faced via the strikeout.  
• Elon got out to an early 3-0 lead in the second inning following a go ahead single from Kenny Mallory Jr. that plated two runs. Elon added another run in the inning following an error by the Minutemen.
• The Phoenix tacked on another run in the bottom of the third thanks to a Justin Szestowicki sacrifice fly.
• Mitrovich continued to deal, retiring seven in a row at one point and striking out an additional three batters in the fourth and fifth inning combined.
• The Phoenix pulled away in the fifth inning in large part due to an Alex Duffey double that scored Ryan Sprock and Connor Offshack from first base. Duffey came around to score on another error by the Minutemen.
• Charlie Granatell homered for the second time this year in the sixth inning bringing home Mallory in the process.
• Hudson Narke relieved Mitrovich going into the seventh inning and struck out a pair of hitters in each frame to keep UMass off the board.
• Elon put the cherry on top when Ryan Sprock found his way aboard with a base hit. He would later score thanks to Will Vergantino who swiped second then scored on an error in the bottom of the eighth to clinch the Elon win and the first Phoenix shutout of the season.

 
Game Two

• Elon started game two with Ben Sieracki on the mound who got through his first two innings of work with just two hits allowed.
• The Phoenix nearly struck in the first frame with Charlie Granatell called out at third on a very close play trying to stretch a double into a triple. Sprock and Offshack would single in the inning giving the Phoenix three hits in the bottom half, but not bringing a run across.
• UMass struck first in the top of the third with with an RBI single and a bunt squeeze play that brought in the first two runs of the game for either side.
• The Minutemen added to their tally in the third inning with an RBI fielder's choice.
• Another single and sacrifice combo would bring in two more runs for UMass in the top of the sixth off Tate Ostrowski.
• UMass blew the game open in the top of the seventh totaling seven runs on seven hits to give the Minutemen a 12-run lead.
• Elon countered with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but with the mercy rule in effect the Phoenix fell after seven innings, 12-2.

 
 
NOTES AND STATS
 

• Justin Mitrovich made his fourth start of the season, tying for most in the country.
• For the second time in his career, and this season, Mitrovich totaled double-digit strikeouts finishing with 10 on the day in six innings of work.
• Mitrovich earned his second win marking the ninth win of his career.
• Hudson Narke proved to be a reliable source out of the pen, striking out four Minutemen in two innings of relief.
• Kenny Mallory Jr. registered the seventh multi-hit game of his season and the fourth such game with three hits or more. Mallory reached base six times on the day bringing his OBP up to .569.
• Charlie Granatell hit his second home run of the season and tacked on his tenth double.
• Ryan Sprock adding another RBI to his yearly total, giving him 22 on the season. Sprock is nearly at his previous season high of 25 during his freshman season.
• Connor Offshack finished the doubleheader with two multi-hit games. Offshack finished the day 4-for-7 and bringing his season average back up to .300.
• Vince Fattore had a bounce back effort in game two with a multi-hit game breaking a slump of 14 straight at-bats without a hit.
• The shutout in game one was Elon's first since the Phoenix blanked William & Mary last season in an 8-0 win.

 
 
UP NEXT
 

• The Phoenix return to Latham Park for the rubber match on Sunday with the Minutemen. First pitch against UMass will be at noon.