Bryan-College Station, Tx.- The Elon Phoenix (0-2) grabbed an early, first inning lead, but it would not hold as the Phoenix fell to #1 Texas A&M (2-0) 16-6. The Phoenix put up six runs and collected 10 hits, the most runs and hits allowed by the Aggies in an opening series game since 2021.
 
Jackson Alford finished his second game with Elon, 3-for-3 with a trio of singles, an RBI and a run scored in the loss. Fellow junior Tank Yaghoubi recorded his first multi-hit game of the 2025 season.
 
Hank Krift made his first career start with the maroon & gold on Saturday. In three innings of work, Krift struck out five batters. Tommy Mitchell and Mike Staiano also made their Phoenix debuts in the Saturday loss.
 
 
How It Happened

• Elon continued their momentum from yesterday's game by starting fast in game two. After Charlie Granatell and Ryan Sprock reached with back-to-back singles, catcher Alex Duffey laced a ball through the right side, which scored Granatell and gave Elon the early lead.
• The Phoenix added another in the first on a Justin Szestowicki, RBI, bases loaded walk. The Aggies would respond with a pair of first inning home runs to lead 3-2 after one inning.
• A Tank Yaghoubi leadoff double started the second inning strong for the Phoenix. Kenny Mallory Jr. advanced Yaghoubi over on a ground out and Granatell hit a sacrifice fly to even the score at three.
• The game would remain tied at three going into the bottom of the third before A&M put up four runs with two outs in the inning to grab a 7-3 lead. The Aggies grabbed another run on a solo home run in the fourth to take an 8-3 advantage.
• The Phoenix showed resiliency in the fifth inning and scored three runs. After two free passes from the Aggies, Will Vergantino and Duffey executed a double steal to advance to second and third. A base hit through the left side from Alford would score Vergantino easily, but the left fielder misplayed the ground ball. The ball rolled all the way to the wall and brought home Duffey and nearly scored Alford to make it an 8-5 game. Justin Szestowicki brought in Alford on an infield single to trim the Aggie lead to two.
• Texas A&M would not allow Elon any closer with two more four run innings in the fifth and sixth frames to take the game 16-6 in seven innings.

 
Notes and Stats

• The Phoenix fell to 0-2 on the season following the loss to Texas A&M.
• Jackson Alford finished the game 3-for-3 at the plate with three singles, an RBI and a run scored.
• Tank Yaghoubi collected a double, a single and a run scored in his second start of the season.
• Charlie Granatell, Ryan Sprock and Alex Duffey all singled in the game and scored a run.
• Alex Duffey finished with an RBI and reached base in all three plate appearances, reaching with two walks as well as his single.
• Justin Szestowicki led the Phoenix in RBI with two on the day, one on a walk and one on an infield single.
• Hank Krift made his first Phoenix start against Texas A&M on Saturday. In three innings of work, Krift struck out five hitters, the most by a Phoenix freshman since Hudson Narke fanned five against Valparaiso last season.
• Mike Staiano and Tommy Mitchell both made their first Elon appearances. Tommy Mitchell struck out the first batter of his collegiate career when he punched out Jace Laviolette in the fifth inning.
• All eight starters who have started both games have now all recorded a hit in the series.
• Elon has swiped four bags in the first two games against the Aggies, after only stealing 21last season.

 
Up Next
The Phoenix and Aggies will play game three of the series tomorrow. First pitch time will be 2:02 EST.