West Long Branch, N.J.- The Elon Phoenix (14-23, 5-8 CAA) dropped their series opener with the Monmouth Hawks (19-19, 6-7 CAA) Friday afternoon. Justin Mitrovich got the start for the Phoenix and threw seven innings for the second straight start. Ryan Sprock returned to his home state and hit his seventh home run of the campaign in the 9-4 loss.
 
How It Happened

• As they have done all season long, the Phoenix punched first in the opening inning. After back-to-back singles from Charlie Granatell and Ryan Sprock, Alex Duffey drove in the opening run of the game with a groundout. Vince Fattore followed up Duffey's RBI with an RBI-single of his own to expand the lead to 2-0.
• Monmouth was equal to the Phoenix in the first inning and put up three runs to take the lead after one inning of play.
• After a clean second inning from both teams, Elon answered in the third. Following a hit by pitch to Charlie Granatell, Ryan Sprock hit an opposite field home run to get the lead back for the Phoenix.
• The Hawks again would answer with a pair of big hits in the fourth inning to bring in two more runs and take the lead back.
• After the fourth, Justin Mitrovich settled back in and delivered three straight zeros on the scoreboard while retiring eight straight batters.
• Elon went to bullpen and Monmouth pounced with four runs in the eighth to seal the game, 9-4.

 
Notes and Stats

• The Phoenix falls to 14-23 on the season with the loss on Friday afternoon.
• Justin Mitrovich pitched seven innings on Saturday while allowing four earned runs in the loss. Mitrovich struck out six batters in the loss while walking just one.
• Ryan Sprock delivered another solid day at the plate with his seventh home run of the season. He finished with two hits, two runs scored and two RBI.
• Alex Duffey continued his hitting streak in CAA play to 13 straight games. Duffey also drove in a run in the loss.
• Vince Fattore roped an RBI single into left field in the first inning. Fattore finished with the one hit and one RBI.
• Tank Yaghoubi finished with a two-hit game at the bottom of the order for the Phoenix.
• Charlie Granatell finished 1-for-3 at the plate and scored two runs in the loss.

 
Up Next
The Phoenix returns to the diamond for game two with Monmouth tomorrow afternoon. First pitch with the Hawks will be at 1 PM.