ELON, N.C. – Struggles at the plate plagued the Elon softball team as it recorded two hits in a 6-0 loss to North Carolina today, March 14, at East Field. The Tar Heels improve to 19-7 on the season, while the Phoenix falls to 14-4.
Erin O’Shea (8-2) took just her second loss of the season after giving up four earned runs off six hits in five innings. The Tar Heels’ Lori Spingola improved to 13-6 on the season after an impressive complete game performance in which she allowed two hits and struck out eight.
Tomeka Watson and Carleigh Nester combined for Elon’s two hits of the game. UNC’s Kelli Wheeler went 3-for-4 with one run and two RBI.
The Tar Heels put the first run on the board in the top of the first off a score by Wheeler. The left fielder singled to start the inning and advanced to third on the play off an error by Elon right fielder Lauren Oldham. Wheeler scored on a wild pitch to put UNC on top early, 1-0.
After two scoreless innings, UNC added three more runs in the top of the fourth. Jordan Scarboro scored on a passed ball after reaching base on a bunt at the beginning of the inning. With two outs, Wheeler doubled to right field to score two more runs and give the Tar Heels a 4-0 lead.
With two on and one out in the top of the sixth, Karen Berna replaced O’Shea in the circle for the Phoenix. Kelsey Green then hit a two RBI single up the middle, which scored Paige Williams and Amber Parrish from second and third. Berna then got Wheeler to ground into a double play and record the final two outs of the inning.
Nester started a comeback attempt for Elon in the bottom of the seventh with a leadoff single to the shortstop. But the effort fell short as Springola ended the game without giving up another hit.
Elon will continue Southern Conference play with a three-game series at UNCG beginning on Saturday, March 17, with a 1 p.m. doubleheader.