Elon Women’s Softball Walks Off in Hatter Invitational Finale

DeLAND, Fla. – The Elon University softball team concluded its final day at the Hatter Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 15, at Patricia Wilson Field. The Phoenix fell to Campbell, 3-0, before rebounding with an 8-7 win over Bethune-Cookman highlighted by freshman Alaina Hall’s walk-off two-RBI double. The win was also head coach’s Kathy Bocock 50th at Elon.

Campbell 3, Elon 0
Both teams went scoreless in the opening frame to start the game, but Campbell scored the first run of the contest in the bottom of the second. Courtney Klingler hit a solo home run to left field to put the Camels up 1-0.

Campbell plated its second run of the game in the bottom of the third. Stephanie Jones hit a one-out single down the left field line and advanced to second on a single by Ericka Nesbitt. After a popup by Raven Lee, Milly Martinet drove in Jones on a double to left field to put Campbell up 2-0.

Elon nearly responded in the top of the fourth by placing its first runner in scoring position. Grace Eng drew a walk to start the inning and was replaced by pinch runner Jenna Reilly. Reilly moved to second on a Johanna Spencer grounder to the shortstop and advanced to third on an error by the third baseman on Aly Quintana’s at bat. Quintana reached because of the error and gave the Phoenix runners on first and third, but they would be stranded as the inning ended with a popup.

After Elon went down in order in the top of the fifth, Campbell added another run in the bottom half of the frame. Jones doubled to right center to drive in another run for the Camels to move ahead 3-0. Jones would steal third, but would end up stranded there as Elon starter Chelsea White struck out the next batter and recorded the next two outs on grounders.

Elon looked to get on the board in the top of the seventh, but could only register one hit in the final inning as the game ended with the Camels coming out on top 3-0.

White (1-2) took the loss after going 6.0 innings and allowing three runs, all earned, on six hits. The Phoenix recorded only four hits versus the Camels and had seven runners left on base.

Elon 8, Bethune-Cookman 7 (8)
The Phoenix jumped out to a quick start with the bat in the opening inning of its contest against Bethune-Cookman, but could not manufacture any runs. Alaina Hall led off with a single up the middle then moved to second on a single by Carleigh Nester. Both runners advanced to scoring position as Elon loaded the bases after Emily Roper drew a two-out walk. The Phoenix however could not drive them in as the Wildcats forced a popup to end the inning.

The Wildcats scored the first two runs of the game in the top of the second inning. Bethune-Cookman loaded the bases with no outs on a Shamaria Engram bunt single and plated its first run on a one out walk. Destinee Williams then drove in the next run on a single to left field, putting the Wildcats up 2-0.

After a scoreless third, Bethune-Cookman added a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Kaitlin Alamprese roped a one-out single down the left field line to drive in a pair of runs for the Wildcats. Elon soon made a change in the circle as starter Alli Burdette was relieved by Caitlin O’Shea. The Phoenix was able to force the next two outs to end the inning, but still trailed B-CU 4-0.

The Phoenix finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Hall doubled to left center to lead off the inning then was driven in by Nester, who also doubled to left center to trim the Phoenix’s deficit to 4-1. The double was the 41st in Nester’s career, moving her into sole possession of fourth place in school history.

Elon rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh. Lauren Oldham hit a one-out single to right field and scored on a triple from Hall to trim the score to 4-2. Nester followed with a sacrifice fly to center to drive Hall to pull the score to 4-3 before Emily Cameron provided the tying score with a solo home run to center to knot the game at 4-4. Elon popped up to end the inning and the game headed into extras.

In the top of the eight, Bethune-Cookman jumped back in front after plating three runs in the inning. Elon returned to plate in the bottom half, but fell in a two-out hole with runners at the corners before Ali Ford was walked to load the bases.

Oldham followed with clutch two-RBI double to pull Elon within one, 7-6, with Hall coming to the plate. Hall then lined a drive into center field that went over the defender’s head that easily scored Ali Ford and Oldham to give the Phoenix the hard fought 8-7 win.

O’Shea (1-0) earned the win in relief after going 4.2 innings with four hits and three runs allowed. Hall led the way offensively with four hits and three RBI followed by Oldham with three hits on her four at bats and two RBI

Elon will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 19, in Buies Creek, N.C., to face Campbell. That game is slated for a 5 p.m. start.