Elon Softball Looks to Stay Perfect in Phoenix Softball Clash

ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team looks to keep its perfect 4-0 record intact this weekend in the Phoenix Softball Clash. The Phoenix will play Presbyterian (1-1) on Friday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. and both James Madison (0-0) and Bucknell (0-0) on Saturday, Feb, 18, and Sunday, Feb. 19. All games will be played at Elon’s East Field.

A Look at the Phoenix
Elon posted a 4-0 mark last weekend in the Elon Invitational. The Phoenix claimed an opening day win over Liberty, 4-1, a shut out of Georgetown, 8-0, and a sweep of N.C. Central, 15-6 and 8-2. The maroon and gold hit .391 while holding its opponents to a .215 batting average.

The Series
This weekend marks the first meeting for the Phoenix and the Presbyterian Blue Hose. Elon and Bucknell have only met once before, February 17, 2006, and it was the maroon and gold that walked away with an impressive 18-3 victory. It’s been four years since James Madison and the Phoenix squared off on February 2, 2008. JMU took the 2-1 win but Elon holds the series records over the Dukes, 5-2.

The Bocock Box
After last weekend’s wins, Kathy Bocock is 4-0 as the head coach of the Elon program. She now holds a 240-304 career coaching record.

Stop, Thief!
Elon is a perfect 10/10 in stolen bases/attempts this season. Sophomore Carleigh Nester leads the team with four stolen bases, while Tomeka Watson has recorded three.

Family Connection
There will be unique family connection on Friday when the Phoenix takes the field against the Blue Hose. Elon’s Bocock will be coaching against her nephew, Justin Miller, who is in his first year as an assistant coach at Presbyterian.

Conference Honors
The Southern Conference named Camille Hill the player of the week on Monday, Feb. 13, after going 7-for-10 in the Elon Invitational. The junior scored nine runs and recorded four RBI to lead the Phoenix to a perfect 4-0 start. Hill went 3-for-3 with one RBI in the team’s 8-0 shutout of Georgetown.

Forget the Learning Curve
Freshman Cyra Cottrell made the best of her collegiate debut over the weekend recording three hits in seven at bats to hit .429. She earned her first hit in her first appearance at the plate against Liberty last Friday, while knocking two balls over the left field fence against N.C. Central on Sunday.

On Deck
The Phoenix will hit the road for the first time of the season next weekend for the Gamecock Invitational in Columbia, S.C. Elon will face South Carolina and George Washington, while also playing Presbyterian for the second weekend in a row.