Greensboro, N.C.- The Elon Phoenix (20-29, 9-14 CAA) trailed by five runs twice on Saturday against North Carolina A&T (24-26, 8-15 CAA), but a four-run fifth inning and a three-run top of the ninth saw Elon prevail over the Aggies in Greensboro.
 
Ryan Sprock played the game of his season on Saturday. The sophomore finished the afternoon hitting 4-for-4 at the plate with three extra-base hits including two doubles and a home run. Will Vergantino delivered in the ninth inning with a two-run, go ahead single. Vergantino finished with a multi-hit day and drove in three runs.
 
The bullpen for the Phoenix continues to shine for the Phoenix. Ben Sieracki halted the Aggie offense and delivered 3.2 innings out of the bullpen to earn the win.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both offenses remained relatively quiet through the first two innings with the lone action for the Phoenix coming on the defensive side. Alex Duffey threw out a runner trying for second for another caught stealing.
• The Aggies put five runs on the board in the bottom of the third to grab the five-run advantage with six innings to play.
• Ryan Sprock got a run back for the Phoenix with a solo home run to right field trimming the deficit to four.
• A&T answered with another run on an infield single to expand the lead back to five.
• The Phoenix answered with four runs of their own in the following frame. Following a leadoff single from Tanner Holliman and walks from James Broderick and Charlie Granatell, Shane Paradine found the right field line for a bloop single that brought home Holliman.
• Vergantino then found an infield single, and a bad throw would score Granatell from second to bring the deficit to two runs. Elon added another run on a Connor Offshack sacrifice fly.
• Liam Dabagian would strike out two batters in the fifth inning and Vergantino would pick him up in the sixth with a fine diving play on a lineout to keep the deficit at one.
• Opposing pitchers would continue to put up zeros until Elon came to bat in the bottom of the ninth.
• Walks from Kenny Mallory Jr. and Granatell put two on for pinch hitter Justin Szestowicki who found no man's land in right center field to put the bases loaded for Vergantino. Vergantino grounded a single through the left side to give Elon their first lead. The Phoenix added to the lead when Sprock doubled to left center to add an insurance run for the Phoenix.
• Sieracki closed the door in the ninth following a leadoff double and Elon picked up their ninth conference win of the season.

 
NOTES AND STATS

• Nolan Straniero got the start for the Phoenix. Straniero went three innings and struck out five batters while allowing five runs.
• Ben Sieracki picked up the third win of his season, the most in a single season for the right-hander.
• Liam Dabagian tied his career high with five strikeouts Saturday against the Aggies.
• Ryan Sprock delivered the second four-hit game of his career on Saturday. Sprock finished with three extra-base hits including a home run and two doubles. Sprock becomes the fourth Phoenix to reach the six home run plateau. Sprock also becomes the third Phoenix to put up 10 or more doubles this season.
• Will Vergantino put together a multi-hit day and drove in three runs out of the cleanup spot.
• Shane Paradine picked up another pinch hit to go with an RBI, his second in as many days.

 
UP NEXT

• The rubber match between the Phoenix and the Aggies will begin at 1 pm on Sunday.