Brookline, Mass.- The Elon Phoenix (17-25, 6-11 CAA) got a strong start from Justin Mitrovich and great defense from Will Vergantino, but could not overcome Northeastern Huskies (30-11, 12-5 CAA) in game two of the series, 7-2.  
 
Mitrovich threw five innings and struck out six batters to keep Elon close with the Huskies. The pitching staff got help from some fine plays in the field, a trio of them coming from Will Vergantino at second base. Both Charlie Granatell and Justin Szestowicki finished with multi-hit days for the Phoenix.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Justin Mitrovich got started fast against the Huskies, retiring the first batter, and picking off the next Husky batter at first base.
• The Phoenix got Mitrovich the lead in the second thanks to a bases loaded, infield single from Joe Yovino. The hit was set up by a Szestowicki single and a double to right center field from Vergantino.
• Elon got out of the second frame thanks to a heads up play from Tanner Holliman at first base. With one on and one out, Northeastern laced a ball right toward Holliman who caught it and in one motion, lunged for the first base bag to beat the runner.
• Szestowicki claimed his second hit of the day on an RBI single through the left side in the top of the third to double the Elon lead.
• Mitrovich continued to shine in the fourth. After walking the leadoff batter, Mitrovich sat down the Huskies 1-2-3 with another strikeout.
• Northeastern finally got to Mitrovich in the fifth inning. Following back-to-back singles and a run scored, Elon needed a double play to get out of the inning but couldn't make the turn and an errant throw allowed the go-ahead run to score.
• The hosts put up four runs in the seventh inning with a three-run home run to pull away from the Phoenix in the ladder innings.
• Elon's ninth inning comeback effort fell short and Northeastern took game two of the series, 7-2.

NOTES AND STATS

• Justin Mitrovich made his 11^th start of the season against the Huskies on Saturday. Mitrovich struck out six batters in five innings of work and allowed just two earned runs.
• Charlie Granatell put together his 18^th multi-hit game of the season with a 2-for-5 effort. Granatell also scored a run Saturday.
• Justin Szestowicki had a multi-hit game as well for the Phoenix, the sixth of his season.
• Will Vergantino doubled in the second inning which led to a run for the Phoenix.
• Joe Yovino had an RBI single in the second inning to collect the first RBI of his Elon career. Yovino got the start behind the plate, his fourth start of the season.
• Vergantino made another of fine plays at second base to save multiple hits for the Phoenix pitching staff.
• Elon now trails the all-time series with the Huskies, 15-13.

UP NEXT

• The Phoenix will play game three with the Huskies tomorrow with a 1 pm first pitch time from Brookline, Mass.