This Week in Elon Athletics

ELON, N.C. – Every Monday, Phoenix fans can get a look at the week ahead with our “This Week in Elon Athletics” feature when we will preview all the week’s upcoming events for our sports teams. “Follow us” on Twitter at @elonphoenix and @elonscores, “Like” Elon Phoenix on Facebook and continue to check elonphoenix.com to stay current on all things Elon Athletics.

Baseball (4-3)
Elon vs. Liberty, Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 4 p.m., Latham Park
Elon vs. Furman, Friday-Sunday, March 1-3, at 4/2/1:30 p.m., Latham Park

• Elon went 3-1 last week, picking up wins over North Carolina A&T (7-5), Kansas State (4-3) and Coastal Carolina (8-7). The only loss was a 6-1 setback to #8 Kentucky.
• Junior catcher/first baseman Ryan Kinsella homered in three consecutive games over the weekend. The SoCon Player of the Week candidate hit .467 (7-for-15) with three homers, a triple and nine RBI last week.
• The Phoenix will begin its longest home stand of the year this week. The maroon and gold will be home for its next eight games beginning on Tuesday at 4 p.m. against Liberty. Elon then opens up SoCon play at home with Furman on Friday at 4 p.m.
• In its previous nine SoCon openers, Elon has gone 8-1.

Men’s Basketball (19-9, 12-4 Socon)
Elon vs. Davidson, Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m., Alumni Gym
Elon vs. UNCG, Saturday, March 2, at 7 p.m., Alumni Gym

• Elon closes out the regular season at home this week with a pair of games versus Davidson and UNCG.
• Wednesday’s game against Davidson will feature the Southern Conference’s two division winners. Elon locked up the North Division last week and the No. 2 overall seed in the SoCon Tournament, while Davidson has clinched the South Division title and the No. 1 seed in the tournament.
• In two games last week, Ryley Beaumont averaged 17 points and 10.5 boards for the maroon and gold. The junior forward scored the game-winner with 8.2 seconds left in Elon’s division-clinching win at Samford on Feb. 21.

Men’s Tennis (3-3)
Elon vs. The Citadel, Sunday, March 3, at 1 p.m., Jimmy Powell Tennis Center

• Elon opens Southern Conference play this weekend at home against The Citadel.
• The Phoenix claimed a 6-1 win over Winthrop on Sunday, Feb. 24, winning all six singles matches in impressive fashion to secure the win.
• Cameron Silverman, ranked No. 28 in the nation in singles, won in straight sets against Winthrop. Silverman and Stefan Fortmann, ranked No. 23 in the nation in doubles, won 8-6 in doubles play to continue their impressive play.

Softball (5-4)
Elon vs. East Carolina, Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 5 p.m., Hunt Softball Park
Elon vs. Virginia Tech, Thursday, Feb. 28, at 5 p.m., Hunt Softball Park

• Elon went 4-0 over the weekend at the Phoenix Softball Clash with wins over Temple, Hampton and Saint Peter’s
• Tomeka Watson became the program’s all-time leader in home runs after hitting her 27th career home run on Sunday, Feb. 24, against Hampton, breaking a tie with Brandi Jones (2006-09) for the most in Elon softball history.
• Watson has seven home runs on the season, tying her mark for all of last year. Sophomore Grace Eng is second on the team with four after going homeless in her freshman campaign.
• Pitchers Kayla Caruso and Eve Clausen picked up their first wins of the season for the Phoenix over the weekend. Caruso posted a record of 2-0 in the tournament with wins against Temple and Hampton. Clause earned a 10-0 shutout victory against Saint Peter’s in her Elon debut.
• Prior to the game against the Hokies, Elon will hold a dedication ceremony for Hunt Softball Park and BB&T Field at 4 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the stadium.

Women’s Basketball (14-12, 11-6 SoCon)
Elon vs. Appalachian State, Monday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m., Alumni Gym
Elon vs. Davidson, Saturday, March 2, at 2 p.m., Alumni Gym

• Elon will play its final two home games of the season this week, beginning with Appalachian State on Monday, Feb. 25, followed by Davidson on Saturday, March 2. Fans who arrive early to the ASU game will receive a FREE Elon basketball t-shirt (limited quantity).
• Saturday’s game against Davidson will mark senior day for one of the most influential classes in Elon women’s basketball history. Arayael Brandner, Kelsey Evans, Ali Ford, Lei Lei Hairston and Shon Redmond have led the Phoenix to a 62-58 overall record and to the team’s first Division I post-season appearance in 2011.
• Evans and Ford leave with many records and accomplishments to their name. Both have scored over 1,000 career points and rank near or at the top of Elon and the SoCon’s career lists in several categories.

Women’s Golf
Elon at High Point University Classic, Monday-Tuesday, Feb. 25-26, High Point, N.C.

• The Elon women’s golf team will open up its spring season at the High Point University Classic this week. The eight-team field includes fellow SoCon schools Appalachian State and Western Carolina.
• The Phoenix placed in the top 10 in all five of its fall tournaments.

Women’s Tennis (7-1)
Elon vs. Radford, Monday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m., Jimmy Powell Tennis Center
Elon at Charlotte, Thursday, Feb. 28, at 2:30 p.m., Charlotte, N.C.
Elon vs. Longwood, Friday, March 1, at 2 p.m., Jimmy Powell Tennis Center

• The Phoenix returns to action this week with three matches, including two at home at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center.
• Elon has won seven straight matches, which is one shy of tying the program record at the Division I level set in 2010.
• Elon claimed a thrilling 4-3 win over UNCW on Feb. 24, as Maria Camara Ruiz clinched the match for the maroon and gold with the match tied, 3-all. Elon trailed 2-0 and won four out of six singles matches to secure the win.