Elon, N.C.- The Elon Phoenix (21-30, 10-15 CAA) fell behind the College of Charleston Cougars (37-12, 19-5 CAA) by five runs after one frame Thursday night but were able to fight back to tie the score at eight. The run of Elon hitting was not enough as the Cougars took game one of the weekend series, 14-10.
 
Tank Yaghoubi led the charge for the Phoenix, finishing with his first career four-hit day which included the first home run of his collegiate career. Yaghoubi was joined by four other Phoenix in the home run column as Elon put five balls over the fence Thursday night.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• College of Charleston jumped on starter Justin Mitrovich for five runs in the first all of which came on singles in the inning.
• The Phoenix answered back with a solo shot from Alex Duffey to bring the lead to four.
• The Cougars extended the lead back to five in the top of the second with a run brought home on a wild pitch.
• Will Vergantino led off the second inning with a home run to left center to get the run right back. An RBI single from James Broderick brought home senior captain Connor Offshack, while a groundout from Kenny Mallory Jr. brought home Broderick after a double from Tank Yaghoubi.
• Another lone run came across in the third inning for the Cougars while Elon would be held off the scoreboard in the third.
• Mitrovich had his first clean inning in the fourth, but Elon could not muster any offense of Aidan Hunter.
• Charleston added another run in the top of the fifth off a solo home run which got Mitrovich pulled from the final start of his season.
• Elon would make sure to strike in the bottom of the fifth. Yaghoubi led off the inning with a solo home run. After a single from Charlie Granatell and a walk from Duffey, Ryan Sprock joined the home run party with a three-run bomb to left to tie the score at eight.
• The Cougars immediately answered with three runs of their own in the top of the sixth to regain the momentum.
• CofC added two more runs in the top of the seventh to regain the five-run advantage.
• Elon would go out with a fight as Granatell launched a ball over the left field wall to give Elon life. Connor Offshack would deliver another run on an RBI single, scoring Vergantino from second to trim the lead to three.
• Charleston added another run in the top of the eighth and would close out the Phoenix with two clean frames to take the 14-10 win.

 
NOTES AND STATS

• Justin Mitrovich got the start for the Phoenix on Thursday. Mitrovich received a no decision and struck out five batters to finish the season with 96. This is the most strikeouts for a Phoenix hurler in a season since George Kirby and Kyle Brnovich both topped 100+ punchouts in 2019.
• Tank Yaghoubi registered the first four-hit game of his career and the first home run of his collegiate career on Thursday.
• Charlie Granatell had a multi-hit day which puts him at 69 hits on the season. He is tied for the team lead with Kenny Mallory Jr. in base knocks. His home run was his seventh of the season.
• Ryan Sprock's three-run home run put Elon in a tied game with Charleston. The home run was the eighth of Sprock's season and his third in the last four games.
• Connor Offshack and James Broderick both measured multi-hit games Thursday.
• Will Vergantino put together a multi-hit effort in the loss including the sixth home run of his season.
• The five home runs on the day for the Phoenix are the most in a game since Elon's CAA Tournament loss to Northeastern last season.

 
UP NEXT

• Elon will continue its final home series with a game tomorrow at 6 pm. Ten seniors will be honored on Senior Day which will begin at 5:40.