Elon Earns 2-0 Win to Start Phoenix Softball Clash

ELON, N.C. – Erin O’Shea recorded her second complete game shutout of the season to give the Elon softball team a 2-0 win over Presbyterian College today, Feb. 17, in the first game of the Phoenix Softball Clash. The Phoenix is now 5-0 on the season, while the Blue Hose fall to 1-2.

O’Shea (3-0) gave up only four fits to the 29 batters she faced and struck out four in the shutout. The senior currently owns a season era of 0.37. Leslie Hensley (1-2) took the loss for PC after going four innings and giving up two runs, one unearned, off eight hits.

O’Shea also did her part on offense going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate and recording one RBI. Junior Morgan Wright drove in Elon’s other run with her one hit of the day.

The Blue Hose loaded the bases with only one out to start the game, putting O’Shea in a tight situation. However, the Kennesaw, Ga., native got Erin Taylor to pop up to second base and struck out Cat Tarvin on a 2-2 pitch to end the inning to keep a run from scoring.

A single to centerfield by O’Shea off an 0-2 pitch started the bottom of the second for the Phoenix. After a double by freshman Cyra Cottrell advanced Charyssa Parent, a pinch runner for O’Shea, to third, Wright singled to left field to push Parent across the plate and give Elon a 1-0 lead.

An error by Blue Hose shortstop Jill McLean let Tomeka Watson reach first safely to being the bottom of the third. With one out, Kaitlyn Piazzolla sent Hensley’s 0-1 pitch to right center for a single and advanced Watson to third. Piazzolla’s hit brought O’Shea to the plate as she hit a bunt to the shortstop for an infield single that scored Watson, putting the Phoenix up 2-0.

Kensley Loudermelk replaced Hensley in the start of the fifth inning and found the bases loaded in a hurry after giving up two walks and hit with only one out. However, the freshman got Wright to strike out swinging and Danielle Lafferty to ground out to the pitcher’s circle to end the inning with three Phoenix left on base.

Mary Ellen Morris got a hit for PC to start the seventh inning, but O’Shea was able to keep all tying runs at bay and end the game, giving the Phoenix the 2-0 victory.

Elon will continue play in the Phoenix Softball Clash tomorrow, Feb. 18, with games against James Madison and Bucknell. The Phoenix play the Dukes in a 11:45 a.m. game and the Bison at 2 p.m.