West Long Branch, N.J.- The Elon Phoenix (15-23, 6-8 CAA) delivered a CAA win on Saturday against the Monmouth Hawks (19-20, 6-8 CAA) to pull the series even with the rubber match tomorrow morning. The Phoenix youth was the story with a pair of freshmen delivering key performances in the 10-4 win.
 
Both Hank Krift and Jake Hajdu delivered key moments in all three phases. Krift earned his first career save and delivered three innings of one-hit ball to close out the Phoenix win. Jake Hajdu collected the biggest hit of his Elon career with a bases clearing double and helped turn four double plays in the victory.
 
How It Happened

• As they have this season, the Phoenix struck early and hard in the first inning. Elon matched their total from yesterday with a pair of runs in the opening frame. The Phoenix took advantage of early mistakes with Tank Yaghoubi and Ryan Sprock moving into scoring position after a failed pickoff attempt. Alex Duffey continued to drive in runs with an RBI single to center field. Elon capitalized again on an error when Charlie Granatell hit a screaming line drive back to the pitcher and in an attempt to double up the runner at second, threw the ball into center field which allowed Sprock to score.
• Monmouth scored their first run of the game on a wild pitch in the second to halve the deficit.
• Elon added the run back immediately when Charlie Granatell pulled a hanging slider to left field and over the fence for a solo home run.
• Nolan Straniero threw up back-to-back zeros in the third and fourth inning before Monmouth tied the game in the fifth with two runs in the inning.
• A Duffey double with one out in the sixth got the ball rolling for the Phoenix in the sixth. After back-to-back walks, Justin Szestowicki hit a slow roller that died in the infield and settle for an infield single to give the Phoenix a one run lead. Jake Hajdu had the hit of the game with a bases clearing, three-run double into the left field corner to expand the Phoenix lead to 7-3.
• The Hawks added a run back in the sixth before an inning-ending double play snuffed out the rally.
• Hank Krift came into the game in the seventh inning and used the double play to get out of a pair of innings and used only 16 pitches combined to get out of the seventh and eighth frames.
• Elon hitters added more insurance in the ninth. A Granatell sacrifice fly drove in a run before a two-out, two-RBI single from Vince Fattore blew the game open and gave the Phoenix a 10-4 lead.
• Hank Krift ended his ninth frame with a pair of punch outs to take game two of the weekend series.

 
Notes and Stats

• The Phoenix improves to 15-23 on the season with the win. Elon adds a sixth conference win to their total and now stands at 6-8.
• Nolan Straniero improved to 3-1 on the season with the win. Straniero threw six innings and struck out a trio of batters.
• Hank Krift collected his first save of his career and went three innings. He allowed just one hit, and no runners reached second base in his outing.
• Charlie Granatell hit his second home run of the season in the win. His third inning blast was his third career home run against the Hawks.
• Alex Duffey delivered another multi-hit game in the victory. His double and single extended his CAA hitting streak to 14 consecutive games to begin conference play.
• Kenny Mallory Jr. added a multi-hit game.
• Jake Hajdu finished with a career high three RBI in the win. His three-run double opened the game up for the Phoenix on Saturday.
• The Phoenix defense turned four double plays in the win. The four double plays are the most in a game this season.

 
Up Next
The Phoenix and Hawks will play for the series tomorrow from West Long Branch. Game three will begin at 11 A.M.