Elon Softball Falls to Samford in Rubber Match

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Elon softball team could not get things going offensively today, April 21, as the Phoenix fell in its series finale at Samford, 2-0. The Bulldogs (13-31, 5-13 Southern Conference) held the Phoenix (15-28, 5-13 SoCon) to just one hit on the afternoon, clinching the three-game series at the Samford Softball Facility.

Samford’s Shelby Scott (4-13) earned the complete-game victory after allowing only one hit while striking out four batters. Elon’s Chelsea White (3-13) took the loss for the Phoenix after appearing in 3.1 innings of work with three runs allowed off three hits.

Elon’s had an early chance to plate some runs on the board in the top of the first. Carleigh Nester drew a two-out walk and stole second to move into scoring position. Grace Eng earned another free pass on a wild pitch that advanced Nester to third. Both runners were left on however as the Bulldogs were able to escape the inning.

Neither team recorded a hit through the first three innings until Elon’s Lauren Oldham broke through with a one-out single down the left field line in the top of the fourth. The Phoenix did not get much going after that as the next batter hit into a double play to end the inning.

Samford plated the first runs of the game in the bottom half. The Bulldogs led off with its first two batters reaching on singles, then scoring on a fielder’s choice to make the score 1-0. A sacrifice fly and another single helped add the next two runs and forced the Phoenix to make a pitching change as Kayla Caruso relieved White in the circle as Elon trailed 3-0 after four.

In the top of the fifth, Elon had another opportunity with a runner in scoring position. Ali Ford was walked with one out and advanced to second with two outs. Scott induced the final out of the inning to end the potential threat.

The Phoenix bats went down in order in the remaining two innings as Elon fell 3-0.

Elon takes a step outside of SoCon on Tuesday with a road trip to Durham, N.C., for a meeting with North Carolina Central. The first pitch is slated to begin at 6 p.m.