ELON –The Elon baseball team (19-28, 10-17 CAA) returns to Latham Park for the final time in 2026 this weekend for a series against the College of Charleston (22-25, 12-12 CAA). Elon looks to capitalize on its CAA road series win against William & Mary last weekend.
The Phoenix will honor 10 seniors in a pregame ceremony Sunday afternoon, beginning approximately at 12:40 p.m. Among the Phoenix who will be honored are
Cole Hansen,
Gavin Bogdanchik,
RJ Latkowski,
Brian Strange,
Brian DuRoff,
Jackson Alford,
Vince Fattore,
Carson Wehner,
Lawson Wheeler and
Sam Nomura.
All three games will be streamed on FloCollege. Audio broadcasts will also be available on the Varsity Network App.
HOW TO FOLLOW
SERIES HIGHLIGHTS
- Elon trails Charleston in the all-time series, 33-47.
- All 80 previous meetings have come with Mike Kennedy as Elon's head coach.
- Elon and Charleston have met in 21 of the last 23 seasons with the lone gaps coming in 2014, when Charleston moved from the SoCon to the CAA, and in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season.
- The Phoenix was 1-3 last season against the Cougars, losing a regular season series and falling in the CAA Tournament.
- In Elon's most recent win against Charleston, Troy McGirt had a career day. He hit first career home run and drove in four runs in the 14-13 win in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.
QUICK HITS
- Elon took two of three games at William & Mary last weekend, securing its third straight CAA road series dating back to the start of April. It's the first time since 2019 that the Phoenix has won three consecutive conference road series.
- Senior Jackson Alford has been one of the top base stealers in the country in 2026, swiping 30 of 36 to rank third in the CAA and 17th nationally. Alford is the first Phoenix since Chris Dove (2008) to steal 30 or more bases in a season. Alford entered Elon's single-season top 10 list with his stolen base against Winthrop on April 21.
- Graduate Brian DuRoff paced the Phoenix offense in April, hitting .397 (23-for-58) with 14 extra-base hits and 18 RBI in that span. DuRoff began the month of May with a pair of multi-hit games in the weekend series win over William & Mary. DuRoff hit his 17th double of the season last Friday night, giving him the most by a Phoenix since the 2020 season.
- Tommy Mitchell continues to pace the middle of Elon's weekend rotation. Mitchell has put together three straight quality starts including his best start last weekend. The left-hander limited William & Mary to a lone run and struck out a career-high seven Tribe hitters.
- Jared Hall had his best weekend as a Phoenix against William & Mary. Hall finished the weekend hitting .462 (6-for-13) with a home run, two triples and seven RBI. Hall added to his weekly totals with an RBI single against USC Upstate.
- Senior Sam Nomura has proved to be a top reliever in the CAA this season. Since arriving as a freshman, his ERA has decreased every season and currently sit at a Phoenix best, 2.80. Nomura has given up one earned run over his last 10.2 innings on the mound.
- Mike Staiano has rounded into form at the backend of Elon's bullpen. The left-hander has earned a save in four of his last six relief appearances, including Sunday afternoon at William & Mary. Staiano is tied for first in the CAA in saves (6) with his teammate RJ Latkowski.
- Following a 25-32 (13-14 CAA) season in 2025, Elon was picked in a tie for fourth in the 2026 CAA preseason poll.
- Head coach Mike Kennedy is in his 30th season at the helm of Elon Baseball. Last Saturday, Kennedy won his 900th game, making him the 96th head coach in college baseball history to win 900 games and the 33rd to win them all at one school. After earning 25 wins last season, Kennedy has led the Phoenix to 24 seasons of 25 wins or more. Kennedy is a 2025-26 Elon Sports Hall of Fame inductee.
SUPPORT THE PHOENIX
Fans can support Elon Athletics through the
Phoenix Club. To purchase 2026 tickets, visit
TicketMaster.com/ElonTickets.
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Elon Baseball, follow the Phoenix on X and Instagram (@ElonBaseball).
