ELON – Elon baseball used a flurry of early runs and a strong day hitting with runners on base to blow past North Carolina A&T, 11-8 on Sunday. After scoring just one run in the opening game of the series, the Phoenix combined to score 19 over the final two games.
 
Jose Mariano had his first three-hit day as a Phoenix, as he drove in two and scored two runs. Gavin Bogdanchik put together a multi-hit day and capped it off with a two-run double. Jared Hall enjoyed another solid performance, as he finished his day with a pair of hits, two runs scored, and two RBIs.
 
RJ Latkowski continued his strong start to the season as he closed out the win to earn his 4^th save of the year. Cole Hansen tied his season-high with five strikeouts and earned his second win of the year.
 
The Phoenix improves to 8-7 while North Carolina A&T falls to 3-12. Elon is now 2-1 in CAA play while the Aggies drop to 1-2.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• For the second straight game, the Aggies jumped out 3-0 in the first inning.
• Elon would respond in kind with a run of their own in the bottom of the first on a Mariano RBI single.
• After Hansen retired six straight batters, Elon pounced on A&T starter Angel Ortiz. Behind RBI singles from Hall, Kevin Denty and Jake Hajdu, the Phoenix put up a five spot in the 3^rd to take a 6-3 lead.
• The Phoenix added three more in the 4^th. Another Mariano RBI single drove in the first while Bogdanchik's RBI double down the line brought home two more to give Elon a 9-3 lead.
• A&T got two runs back in the 5^th before Elon added another run in the bottom half of the frame. Thanks to heads up base running by Henry Akopov, the freshman was able to score from second base on an infield single by Hall.
• The Aggies countered with three runs in teh top of the 7^th, but Elon was able to answer again. Brian DuRoff capped his series with an RBI single into right center to give the Phoenix a needed insurance run.
• Sam Nomura and RJ Latkowski closed out the 8^th and the 9^th to shut the door on the Aggies and clinch a CAA series win for the Phoenix.

 
QUICK HITS

• Elon improves to 8-7 on the season.
• Elon clinched their first CAA opening series win since 2023.
• Jose Mariano had his first three-hit day as an Elon Phoenix Sunday afternoon. Mariano singled three times, scored two runs and drove in two.
• Jared Hall continued his bounce back form on Sunday. Hall collected two hits, two runs scored, two RBIs and a stolen base.
• Jake Hajdu drove in two more runs on Sunday, which brings his season total to 13. Hajdu continues to lead the Phoenix in RBI.
• Gavin Bogdanchik had the lone Elon extra-base hit on Sunday with a two-RBI double.
• Jackson Alford continued his hot start to the season with a pair of runs scored and a stolen base. Alford's season stolen base total is now 15 after just 13 games played.
• Cole Hansen tied his season high with five strikeouts on Sunday. Hansen earned his second win of the season.
• Sam Nomura pitched 1.1 innings of scoreless relief, which dropped his ERA to 0.64.
• RJ Latkowski earned his fourth save of the season in the win. His four saves match Ryan Sprock's team leading total from 2025. 

 
UP NEXT
Elon returns to action on Tuesday as they face the NC State Wolfpack. First pitch from Raleigh will be at 3 PM.
 
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