Elon Softball Falls in Rubber Match at Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – A seven-run bottom of the third by Chattanooga was the difference as the Elon University softball team dropped a 12-2 decision against the Mocs in the rubber match on Sunday, April 6, at Frost Stadium.

The loss dropped the Phoenix to 19-18-1 with a 3-9 mark in Southern Conference play. Chattanooga improved to 23-14 with an 8-3 record against league competition.

Elon jumped right out of the gates to plate the first run of the game. Alaina Hall hit a one-out triple down the right field line and was driven in thanks to a bloop single by Carleigh Nester to right. The Phoenix could not add more runs to its lead and left the top of the first with a 1-0 advantage.

Chattanooga tied the game in the bottom of the second behind a solo home run. Nicole Osterman took a 0-0 delivery from Elon starter Caitlin O’Shea and sent it over the center field wall to tie the game at 1-1.

The Phoenix attempted to add more runs to the scoreboard in the top of the third frame. Hall reached again on a single and was joined on the bases by Nester, who was hit by pitch with one out. The pair would get stranded as the Mocs turned a 4-6-3 double play on the next at bat ending the inning.

Chattanooga took the lead in the bottom of the third as Sam Taylor scored on a bloop single to put the Mocs up 2-1. Taylor reached on a single to the shortstop and advanced all the way to third on a double by Sarah Beth Roberts on the next at bat. Sam Taylor would cross home plate on a single by Alyssa Taylor for the Mocs’ first lead of the contest.

The Mocs added to its lead with a hit by pitch to move ahead 3-1. Elon went with a change in the circle as O’Shea was relieved by freshman Alli Burdette, but another bases loaded walk plated the Mocs’ third run of the inning. After the Phoenix recorded the second out of the inning, Chattanooga’s Jesslyn Stockard hit a grand slam to put the Mocs up 8-1. The Phoenix finally recorded the final out of the inning on a pop up, but Elon faced a seven-run deficit going to the top of the fourth.

Another four runs cross the plate in the bottom of the fourth for the Mocs to push the score to 12-1. Elon added a run in the top of the fifth with O’Shea crossing home plate, but the deficit was too much for the Phoenix to overcome as the game ended later in the frame by a 12-2- score.

O’Shea (5-10) was credited with the loss after pitching 2.1 innings and giving up six runs on four hits. The Phoenix registered five hits against the Mocs with Hall leading the way with two.

Elon continues its road trip with a visit to North Carolina A&T on April 9. That game is scheduled for a 4:30 first pitch.

                 1 2 3 4 5  R  H E
   Elon          1 0 0 0 1  2  5 0
   Chattanooga   0 1 7 4 X 12 12 2

Umpires – HP: Jeffrey Blanken 1B: Nelson Rosa 3B: Larry McCaden
Start: 2:00 pm Time: Attendance:
Weather: Overcast
Deason faced 3 batters in the 5th.