Coming off yesterday’s win against William & Mary, the Elon University baseball team defeated the University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks 13-3 and again survived elimination in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament.
At the top of the second inning, redshirt junior designated hitter Luke Stephenson hit the ball out of the park for his third home run of the tournament, scoring the first run of the game for the Phoenix. The run gave the Phoenix a 1-0 lead that did not last long, as the Seahawks scored the second run of the game in the bottom of second inning.
In the third inning, sophomore center fielder Justin Cassella stole second and moved up to third on an error made by the Seahawks. He was brought home with a bunt made by redshirt sophomore third baseman Connor Coolahan, who advanced to first. Two more runs were scored in this inning after a home run hit by redshirt sophomore right fielder Alex Iadesernia brought both himself and Coolahan in.
At the top of the seventh, a throwing error made by the Seahawks with bases loaded brought four Elon runners home, pushing the Phoenix ahead of the Seahawks 9-3. Another throwing error made by the Seahawks in the inning allowed redshirt freshman shortstop Will Vergantino to run home and snag another point for the Phoenix, pushing Elon’s lead 10-3.
During the eighth inning, Stephenson hit another home run, his second of the game, pushing him to 15 total for the season. His run also brought Cassella across home plate. A third run was scored by freshman left fielder Charlie Granatell after Vergantino drove him in.
Freshman Sam DiLella was the starting pitcher for Elon, but after a home run was scored by the Seahawks in the bottom of the third, redshirt sophomore Liam Dabagian came out of the bullpen to throw for the Phoenix. The pitchers changed again in the sixth inning, when redshirt sophomore Joe Savino came out of the bullpen. Savino did not allow any runs by the Seahawks while he was on the mound.
Elon will play its next game against the College of Charleston in the loser’s bracket of the tournament May 27 at 9:15 p.m.