CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Elon softball team split in its doubleheader against Charlotte on Wednesday, March 6. The Phoenix (9-6) won the first game, 5-2, while falling in the second matchup, 8-0, to the 49ers (9-6) at the D.L. Phillips Complex.
Game One
Kayla Caruso pitched her fifth consecutive complete game to help the Phoenix win game one versus the 49ers. Caruso (4-3) allowed no earned runs and scattered six hits over her 7.0 innings of work on the afternoon.
Elon plated four runs in the top of the third inning to give itself an early 4-0 advantage. Lauren Oldham led off with a single and then advanced to second on a wild pitch to move into scoring position. Camille Hill was hit by a pitch to give the Phoenix two on with reigning Southern Conference Player of the Month, Tomeka Watson, coming up to bat. Watson followed with a one out double to center field to score Oldham and advance Hill to third.
After Johanna Spencer earned a free pass to load the bases, Grace Eng reached on an error by the pitcher, scoring Hill. Emily Cameron’s two out two run single into center brought home Watson and Spencer. Amanda Allen drew another HBP to load the bases for Elon, but the 49ers were able to escape the inning down four.
Charlotte nearly got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third. Jessica Plemmons hit a two out double into right center with Alex Rodgers trying to score from second. Cameron was able to relay a throw from Amanda Allen to throw out Rodgers at home to end the inning.
The Phoenix nearly added to its score in the top of the fourth, placing its first two batters into scoring position. Sarah Little singled into left field to lead off the top half of the inning and advanced on a Hill bunt to second. The 49ers misplayed the ball as Hill and Little moved to second and third, respectively, with no outs. The next three Phoenix batters went down in order however to strand the pair.
Elon tacked on an insurance run in the top of the seventh to move ahead 5-0. Allen had a two out single to drive in Aly Quintana, who reached earlier on a single to left field. Allen would get called out to end the inning at the next at bat on a Oldham fielder’s choice.
Charlotte finally got on the board in the bottom of the seventh as the 49ers attempted to rally to get back into the game. Samantha Slade hit a one out double into center field to get the 49ers into scoring position. She would score after Lindsey Holloman reached on an error by Elon to cut Charlotte’s deficit to 5-1. Holloman would eventually cross home plate on a Rogers two out single to center field to trim Elon’s lead to three, 5-2, but Caruso would force Natalie Capone to line out to end the game and earn her fourth victory of the season.
Charlotte starter Katie Watkins (5-6) also went the distance in the loss, allowing four earned runs on 10 hits.
Cameron and Hill led Elon with two hits. Watson also picked up a hit to extend her hitting streak to 11 games.
Game Two
Charlotte quickly got on board on a Briana Gwaltney single into center field to lead 1-0 in the bottom of first inning. Two more runs were scored in the bottom of the second for the 49ers on a Chelsea Stamey double to right center to drive in Kalie Lang. Capone added a single to score Rodgers to push the lead to 3-0.
The 49ers plated two more runs in the bottom of the third to move ahead 5-0. Both teams would go scoreless in the fourth inning as the Phoenix went down in order. Karen Berna relieved starter Eve Clausen and was able to get out of a tight jam with the bases loaded and one out to move into the top of the fifth.
Cameron doubled to lead off the fifth and advanced to third after Allen grounded out to the shortstop. The Phoenix could not advance her as the next two at bats also grounded out to end Elon’s scoring opportunity.
Charlotte added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the 49ers an 8-0 final score.
Clausen (1-1) pitched 3.0 innings with a strikeout and took the loss. Berna pitched 2.1 in relief and fanned two batters. Chelsea Lisikatos (3-0) earned the win for the 49ers with a 6.0 inning shutout performance.
On Deck
Elon returns to Hunt Softball Park to host Georgia Southern in its SoCon opener on Saturday, March 9. The three-game series begins with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m. and concludes Sunday, March 10, with the first pitch slated also at 1 p.m.