ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team will make a short road trip down Interstate 40 as the Phoenix travels to North Carolina A&T for a single midweek contest on Wednesday, April 9. The game is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. at the Lady Aggie Softball Complex.
Live Coverage
Fans can follow the Phoenix via live stats by going to the Elon softball schedule page at elonphoenix.com. Twitter updates will also be provided the handle @ElonScores or @ElonUSoftball.
Series History
The Phoenix and the Aggies will square off for 46th time in a series that dates back to 1991 and for the second time this season. Elon has a 36-9 record all-time against N.C. A&T and has won four straight over the Aggies including a 7-3 victory last Tuesday, April 1, in Elon. That win was the 300th for Elon head coach Kathy Bocock in her career.
Last Time Out
The Phoenix fell in its latest Southern Conference series at Chattanooga this past weekend, April 4-5. The Mocs took the first game of the series, 3-0, on Saturday to begin a doubleheader, but Elon rebounded with a 5-4 win in the following contest. Chattanooga however won in the rubber match on Sunday by a score of 12-2.
Scouting the Phoenix (19-18-1)
Senior outfielder Carleigh Nester legged out her 48th career double last week against the Aggies, tying Dani Concepcion’s (2002-05) all-time program record. The Kernersville, N.C., native is also still two home runs shy of tying All-American Tomeka Watson (2010-13) for the most all time in program history with 34.
Elon currently leads the SoCon in home runs with 42 with Nester leading the way with 11, tying her single-season high. Nester is one of four players for the maroon and gold that ranks in the top 10 in the conference in homers. Last week against the Aggies, junior Aly Quintana belted her first career home run.
Caitlin O’Shea picked up the complete game win in the circle last week against the Aggies and is leading the team in innings pitched (89.2), ERA (2.97) and saves (one). Fellow junior Chelsea White paces the staff in strikeouts with 49.
Scouting North Carolina A&T (13-16)
The Aggies are 13-16 after winning two out of three in their last series at Florida A&M last weekend. The victories improved N.C. A&T to a 5-1 record in the MEAC, a year after the Aggies won just nine games total and seven during league play.
The Aggies are batting .251 as a team, but have two players with 25 or more at bats hitting above .300. Senior catcher Sabrina Edmonds has a .329 average along with team-highs in slugging percentage (.562), home runs (five), RBI (19) and walks (12). Teammate Dasia Moore is not far behind at a .308 average, 18 RBI, while leading the team in doubles (eight) and hits (28).
In the circle, the duo of Janika May and Shelby Snyder picked up the two wins at Florida A&M this past weekend. May leads the team in wins (six), innings pitched (79.0) while posting a team-low ERA of 3.81.
On Deck
Elon will return back home and to Southern Conference play this weekend, April 12-13, to host Appalachian State in a three-game series. Saturday is also the program’s Pink Game as the team will wear its pink jerseys in support of breast cancer awareness. The game time of the first contest on Saturday is slated for 1 p.m.