Elon, N.C.- The Elon Phoenix (10-17, 2-4 CAA) dropped game three of their series with the Delaware Blue Hens (15-11, 4-2 CAA) Sunday afternoon. The Phoenix and the Blue Hens played a marathon game, ending in a 17-12 loss in ten innings.
The Phoenix bats continued to put up runs in CAA play and scored 12 or more runs for the second time in the past five CAA games. The heart of the Elon order combined to go 7-for-13 with four RBI and three doubles in the loss. Four different Phoenix drove in multiple runs in the game and the Phoenix swiped a pair of bases.
How It Happened
- For the first time in the series, Delaware was able to score early and often. The Blue Hens racked up four runs in the first three frames to race out to a 4-0 lead.
- The Phoenix exploded for their biggest offensive inning of the season in the bottom of the third. After a perfectly executed hit and run by Charlie Granatell, the Phoenix had runners at the corners with one out. Ryan Sprock hit a rocket down the left field line to score Alford and put two runners in scoring position. Duffey delivered a two-RBI, shift beating single to bring the deficit to one. Kenny Mallory Jr. drove in Duffey on an RBI groundout to even the score at four. After Vince Fattore reached on an error and Vergantino came across, back-to-back singles from Tank Yaghoubi and Jake Hajdu loaded the bases for Jackson Alford. After eight pitches, Alford hit a fly ball to shallow left center that found the outfield grass in a Bermuda Triangle that allowed all three runs to score.
- Delaware chipped away in the fourth with another run to bring the deficit to three.
- Elon countered in the fifth with Will Vergantino creating a run following a single, stolen base, advance on a Mallory groundout and scoring on a Fattore sacrifice fly.
- The Blue Hens put up five straight runs in the sixth and seventh to take a one-run lead going into the stretch.
- Vince Fattore drove in another run in the bottom of the seventh with a big single into right center field that scored Vergantino from third.
- Delaware put up two runs in the top of the ninth to take a 12-10 lead going into the bottom of the ninth.
- Back-to-back doubles from Ryan Sprock and Alex Duffey got the Phoenix to within and run. Will Vergantino moved Duffey to third on a groundout before Mallory Jr. drove Duffey in on a sacrifice fly to even the score.
- In extra innings, the Blue Hens put up five runs in the tenth inning to take game three of the series.
Notes and Stats
- The Phoenix falls to 10-17 on the season with Sunday's loss. Elon drops to 2-4 in the CAA following the loss.
- Alex Duffey found more RBI in his bat in game three of the series. In a 2-for-5 day, Duffey drove in three runs and scored two in the loss to Delaware.
- Ryan Sprock had a three-hit day for the Phoenix. Sprock doubled twice and scored twice in the loss to the Blue Hens. Sprock's 12 doubles leads the Phoenix, and his 12 doubles now leads the CAA.
- Will Vergantino capped a productive series as the graduate finished with a multi-hit game for the Phoenix. Vergantino scored three runs and stole two bases in the loss.
- Tank Yaghoubi grabbed two hits with his second hit being the 100th of his collegiate career.
- Vince Fattore and Kenny Mallory Jr. both drove in a pair of runs against Delaware Sunday.
- Jackson Alford tied Sprock with the most RBI on the day for the Phoenix with a three-run double in the third.
Up Next
The Phoenix will begin a four-game road stretch at East Carolina on Wednesday. First pitch with the Pirates in Greenville will be at 6 PM.
