Elon’s Nester’s Walk-off Homer Earns Split Versus Appalachian State Softball

ELON, N.C. – Carleigh Nester’s seventh inning, two-run walk-off home run in game two helped the Elon University softball team to a 5-3 win in the second game of a Southern Conference series doubleheader versus Appalachian State on Saturday, April 12. The Phoenix (21-19-1, 4-10 SoCon) fell to the Mountaineers (16-23, 4-9 SoCon) in the opening game, 4-0.

Elon and Appalachian State will face each other in the rubber match tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Hunt Softball Park.

Appalachian State 4, Elon 0
The Mountaineers scored the first run of the day very early in the opening game against the Phoenix. In the top of the first, ASU’s Sara Parker hit a two-out single to left field to drive in Dani Heichen, who had reached earlier in the frame on a single to third base.

Heichen nearly put the Mountaineers up 2-0 in the top of the third. After reaching on a single to the pitcher to lead off the inning, Heichen advanced to second after an errant throw to first. She was moved to third after a sacrifice bunt and attempted to score on a Sarah Warnock dribbler to the shortstop, but was thrown out at home by the Phoenix’s Ali Ford. Elon retired the next batter to close of the inning.

Both teams remain quiet offensively until the top of the fifth as Appalachian State added two more runs to its lead. Ashley Seering singled to right center to score a run before another errant throw by Elon plated Warnock from third base to move the Mountaineers up 3-0.

Heichen would score her second run of the game in the top of the seventh to give ASU a 4-0 cushion and eventually clinching the game one victory after Elon went down in order in the bottom half of the frame.

Caitlin O’Shea (6-11) took the loss for Elon, pitching a complete game and allowing only three earned runs while walking one batter. Elon registered just two hits against the Mountaineers in the opening game.

Elon 5, Appalachian State 3
Elon was the first to strike in the second contest of the day, plating two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Nester reached on a two-out fielder’s choice and was joined on the base paths by Aly Quintana, who was hit by pitch. Grace Eng drew a walk to load the bases before Lauren Oldham singled to left field to drive in Nester and Quintana and gave the Phoenix the early 2-0 lead.

The Phoenix nearly added more runs to the scoreboard in the bottom of the third. Nester and Quintana earned free passes to lead off the frame followed by Nester advancing to third on a Eng foul out to right field. She would be stranded however as the Mountaineers retired the next two batters to escape the inning.

Elon again had a runner reach scoring position in the fourth. Emily Roper drew another walk from ASU starter Shivaun Landeros to lead off the inning, forcing the Mountaineers to go with a pitching change. Roper was replaced on the bases by O’Shea, who then advanced to second on a squeeze play by Ford. The Phoenix could not move her as the game moved to the fifth inning.

The Phoenix added its third run of the game in the bottom of the fifth behind a Quintana solo home run to left field. The junior took a one-out 2-2 delivery and sent it towards the left field fence where it just grazed over the wall and gave Elon a 3-0 advantage.

Appalachian State responded in the top of the sixth with two runs to cut the lead to one. Pinch runner Pepper Butler scored on Lindsay Loudermilk single to center to plate the first run of the game for the Mountaineers. Butler replaced Warnock, who had reached earlier on a single to the shortstop. A few Elon miscues led to ASU scoring another run with Parker crossing home plate with one out. Elon escaped the inning on a great double play by right fielder Amanda Allen, who caught a fly out and then threw out a runner at home to end the inning.

In the top of the seventh, Warnock tied the game at 3-3 after driving in Kristen Terry on a fielder’s choice. With one out and runners at the corners, Elon managed to induce to final two outs to move to the bottom of the seventh.

Elon quickly went to work as Carey Million led off the frame with a double to right center and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hall. Nester then drove her home with her 12th homer of the year to give Elon the 5-3 win.

Chelsea White (9-6) picked up the complete game win after allowing two earned runs on eight hits with a strikeout. Elon had seven hits in game two, with Million leading the way with two.

Game 1

                       1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R  H E
   Appalachian State   1 0 0 0 2 0 1 4 10 0
   Elon                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2 3

Win – Schoelkopf (3-7).
Loss – O’Shea (6-11).
Save – None.

Umpires – HP: Randy Burgess 1B: Raymond McDowell 3B: Roberto Capuno
Start: 1 p.m. Time: 1:41 Attendance: 407
Weather: 70 degrees and sunny

Game 2

                       1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
   Appalachian State   0 0 0 0 0 2 1 3 8 0
   Elon                2 0 0 0 1 0 2 5 7 3

Win – White (9-6).
Loss – Laws (4-6).
Save – None.

Umpires – HP: Raymond McDowell 1B: Roberto Capuno 3B: Randy Burgess
Start: 3:05 p.m Time: 2:22 Attendance: 209
Weather: 81 degrees and cloudy
Landeros faced 1 batter in the 4th.
Laws faced 1 batter in the 7th.