Elon Women’s Softball Splits Pair on First Day at Hatter Invitational

DeLAND, Fla. – The Elon University softball team split a pair of games on Friday, Feb. 14, at the first day of the Hatter Invitational. The Phoenix (4-1-1) defeated Bethune-Cookman 5-0 in its first game before falling 9-0 to host Stetson Patricia Wilson field.

Elon 5, Bethune-Cookman 0
Elon jumped out in front in the bottom of the first inning in its contest against the Wildcats. Carleigh Nester led off the inning with a single followed by Ali Ford drawing a walk. Emily Cameron reached on a base hit, loading the bases for the maroon and gold with no outs. Bethune-Cookman rebounded to retire the next two batters, but Johanna Spencer hit a two out, bases-clearing double to left to give Elon a 3-0 lead. Spencer advanced to third on the throw and would cross home plate after Aly Quintana hit a bloop single to left, giving the Phoenix a 4-0 advantage after the first.

Neither team mustered any offense during the next three innings as both teams combined for three hits. In the top of the fifth, the Wildcats had their first two batters reach base with no outs. Elon made a pitching change as Caitlin O’Shea relieved starter Alli Burdette in the circle, but the next batter for Bethune-Cookman reached on a single to load the bases.

O’Shea and the Phoenix defense settled down as the Kennesaw, Ga., native recorded a 1-2-3 double play on the next batter. Senior Lauren Oldham then made a great diving stop on a potential single into right field to help end the inning for Elon.

The Phoenix added to its score in the bottom of the sixth. Spencer reached on a two-out single then scored after Quintana’s drive to left center was dropped by the center fielder. The error put Elon up 5-0 going into the top of the seventh.

Bethune-Cookman rallied in the top of the inning as its first two batters reached again with no outs. Elon made another change in the circle as Chelsea White relieved O’Shea. White struck out the first batter she faced then was able to record the final two outs to end the game.

Burdette (2-0) earned the shutout win after going 4.0 innings, allowing four hits with a strikeout. O’Shea came on in relief and allowed one hit in her two innings of action while White fanned a batter in her one inning of work.

Spencer led the way at the plate by going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI. Quintana also had an RBI after going 1-for-3 at the plate.

Stetson 9, Elon 0 (5)
Elon started strong at the plate in the top of the opening frame. Nester reached base on a single and advanced all the way to third with two outs. After Grace Eng was walked, Elon had two runners on base, but the next batter struck out to end inning.

Stetson took quick advantage and plated the first run of the game in the bottom half. Meredith Owen hit a double to left center to put the Hatters up 1-0. Elon was able to recover and record the next three outs to get out of the inning.

Elon went down in order to start the top of the second and Stetson added two more runs in the bottom half to move up 3-0. The Hatters plated another run in the third to improve its cushion to 4-0.

The Hatters exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fourth and went up 9-0. Elon could not respond in the top of the next inning as the game ended in that score.

The Phoenix only recorded three hits total in the game with Nester, Eng and Alaina Hall being credited with one each. White (1-1) took the loss after going 2.0 innings with seven hits and four earned runs allowed.

Elon returns to the field tomorrow to conclude the tournament with a match versus Campbell to beginning at 11 a.m. The Phoenix then face Bethune-Cookman in a rematch at 1:30 p.m.