Elon, N.C.- After another quality start from Justin Mitrovich, Elon Phoenix (6-7) allowed six unanswered runs in the first game of a three-game weekend series to the Charleston Southern Buccaneers (9-3). The Phoenix dropped the first game of the weekend set, 7-2 Friday night.
 
Justin Mitrovich put together another quality start on the mound for the Phoenix. The junior right-hander threw six innings and allowed just one run on one hit while striking out six Buccaneers.
 
The Phoenix was rampant on the base path with four stolen bases as a club. Phoenix captains Charlie Granatell and Alex Duffey both finished with doubles in the game while Vince Fattore and Ryan Sprock drove in both Elon runs.
 
 
How It Happened

• Charleston Southern took an early lead with a sacrifice fly bringing in the first run of the game in the top of the first inning. Following the first frame, Justin Mitrovich took control.
• After two frames with a runner reaching third for the Phoenix and no runs, Elon would strike in the third to tie the game at one on a Ryan Sprock sacrifice fly.
• Justin Mitrovich would enter a stage of dominance in the middle innings. From the second inning to the sixth, Mitrovich would retire 15 straight batters to completely shut down the Buccaneer offense.
• Elon would grab a lead in the bottom of the sixth. A leadoff double from Charlie Granatell and an error on a failed pickoff from Charleston Southern put Granatell at third with no one out. After one pitch, Vince Fattore laced a single to right field to score Granatell and give the Phoenix a 2-1 lead.
• Charleston Southern would answer back immediately with three unearned runs in the top of the seventh to take a two-run advantage.
• The Buccaneers would add on three more insurance runs in the top of the ninth to secure the 7-2 win Friday night.

 
Notes and Stats

• The Phoenix falls to 6-7  on the season following the Friday night loss.
• Justin Mitrovich continues to excel in his Friday night role. After six great innings, Mitrovich had only allowed one hit and one run to score on a sacrifice fly. Mitrovich gave up just two walks and struck out six batters. The junior has given up just four earned runs in 23.2 innings of work in four starts.
• Charlie Granatell added another double to his career tally in the loss. The senior now has 44 career doubles, one shy of breaking the Elon career record.
• Ryan Sprock and Vince Fattore both drove in a run in the Friday night setback.
• Jackson Alford continued to hit the ball well and finished with an infield single and a run scored. Alford also stole two bases, increasing his season total to seven.
• Alex Duffey added another double to the Phoenix tally and to his own. Duffey is now one double off the club lead with five so far this season.

 
Up Next
The Phoenix returns to Latham Park tomorrow for another battle with the Buccaneers. First pitch between Elon and Charleston Southern will be at 2 PM.