Eagles Take Softball Series Finale Over Phoenix

STATESBORO, Ga. – The Elon softball team was not able to get things going again today, April 29, against the pitching of Georgia Southern as the Phoenix fell, 5-0, in the series finale. The Eagles improve to 35-17 on the season and 19-2 in SoCon play, while the maroon and gold is now 20-22 (8-13 SoCon).

Sarah Purvis (18-9) pitched the complete game shutout for the Eagles, giving up two hits in the seven innings and striking out nine. Erin O’Shea (13-12) took the loss, going 5.2 innings and allowing four earned runs off four hits.

The Phoenix had an opportunity to score in the top of the second with two on and two out. Grace Eng drew a leadoff walk to start the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Camille Hill. With two outs, Danielle Lafferty singled up the middle to reach and advance Eng to third. However, Elon was not able to push a run across the plate and headed into the bottom of the frame.

The Eagles scored the first run of the day in the third off a double to right center by Lexi Allen that sent home Breanna McLendon from second. Tabby Douberley had advanced McLendon, a pinch runner for Kourtny Thomas, who had drawn a leadoff walk, to second on a sacrifice bunt.

GSU made it 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth on a one-out fly ball to left field. The sacrifice by Kaitlyn Johnson scored Marie Fogle from third.

A two-out two-run homer down the left field line by Andrea Tarashuk made it a 4-0 lead for the Eagles in the bottom of the sixth. Chelsea White then replaced E. O’Shea in the circle and gave up an unearned run before closing out the inning.

Hill singled to left field to start the seventh inning and give the Phoenix a chance to put a run on the board. The maroon and gold were not able to pull off the comeback attempt and fell by a final of 5-0.

The Phoenix will play a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2, at nearby North Carolina A&T. Elon will finish regular-season play by returning home after the long road swing on Saturday, May 5, with a three-game set against College of Charleston.