ELON, N.C. – Senior Carleigh Nester legged out her 49th career double to become the program’s all-time leader, but the Elon University softball team could not overcome giving up a total of eight runs in the first three innings en route to a 11-1 setback to Appalachian State on Sunday, April 13, in the rubber match at Hunt Softball Park.
The Phoenix (21-20-1, 4-11 Southern Conference) looked for an opportunity to capture its first SoCon series of the year for the second straight weekend in the series finale. The Mountaineers (17-23, 5-9 SoCon) was able to get off to a great start due to some Elon miscues in the top of the first and continued through the following two innings.
Nester broke Dani Concepcion’s (2002-05) nine-year record of 48 career doubles in the top of the third with a two-bagger down the right field line. She would end the day 1-for-3 at the plate as the Phoenix tallied five hits total against the Mountaineers.
Freshman starter Alli Burdette (3-2) received the loss for the maroon and gold, surrendering two runs in her only inning of action, but none of them earned. She gave way to junior Chelsea White to start the top of the second, but allowed six runs on seven hits in 1.1 innings.
Fellow junior Caitlin O’Shea would relieve White in the top of the third. O’Shea pitched effectively in relief as she allowed only one hit between the third and fifth frames before Appalachian State added three more runs in the top of the sixth that eventually ended the game via run rule in the bottom of the inning.
ASU’s Dani Heichen led off the game with a single to third base, then advanced to second on an errant throw. After moving over to third on a ground out on the next at bat, Heichen was joined by Sarah Warnock on the bases after being hit by pitch. Warnock then stole second, leading to another errant throw and Heichen scoring the first run of the game. Warnock then crossed home plate on the Phoenix’s third error of the inning and Appalachian State took a 2-0 lead out of the first inning.
A leadoff walk for the Appalachian State sparked a four-run inning for the Mountaineers. Cynthia Gomez drove in Ashley Best, who was given a free pass to begin the second frame, followed by a one-out two run double to left center by Warnock. ASU added its final run on a Cara Parker sacrifice fly and put the Phoenix in a 6-1 hole after the top of the third.
Elon responded in the bottom half with its lone run of the contest. Lauren Oldham led off with a double to right center and was driven home by Ali Ford on a two-out single to left center. Ford then moved to third on a Carey Million double to left center, but Elon popped up on the next at bat to end the inning and facing a five-run deficit at 6-1.
A two-run double by Appalachian State’s Caroline Reid in the top of the third put the Phoenix into a deeper hole at 8-1. O’Shea would then step in for White with one out and proceed to retire the next two batters to end the inning.
Both teams went scoreless over the next three innings until Appalachian State plated three more runs in the top of the sixth. The Mountaineers would hit back-to-back doubles to increase their lead to 9-1. Parker followed with a two-run home run to put the game at 11-1 after the top of the sixth. Elon was unable to answer in the bottom half of the inning and fell by that score.
The Phoenix will travel to Longwood on Tuesday, April 15, for a non-conference doubleheader against the Lancers. The games are scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start.