ATHENS, Ga. – Four runs scored by Troy in the bottom of the fifth inning doomed the Elon University softball team in the Phoenix’s 6-2 setback in opener at the Bulldog Invitational on Friday morning, Feb. 13, at Jack Turner Stadium.
The Trojans (3-3) took control of the game in the bottom of the fifth frame mostly due to some miscues from the Phoenix (3-1). The maroon and gold outhit the Trojans, 8-5, and held them to a single run through the first four innings as Elon protected an early 2-1 lead.
The Phoenix jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning. Elon’s Hannah Olson reached on a two-out error on the shortstop and advanced to second after an Emily Roper single. Both runners moved into scoring position before Emily Cameron drove them both in on her single.
Troy responded in the top of the second to get on the scoreboard. Meg Willis hit a one-out, solo home run to left field that cut into the Phoenix’s lead. The Trojans followed with back-to-back singles and had runners in scoring position with two outs before Elon starter Alli Burdette struck out the final batter to end the frame.
Elon threatened again in the top of the second after Madison Kadlic led off the inning with a single. She moved over to second on a stolen base and was joined on the bath paths by Carey Million after she drew a one-out free pass. The two would be stranded as the Trojans retired the next two batters.
In the top of the fifth, Elon had another opportunity to add runs to its lead. Roper hit a two-out single and moved to third after Cameron doubled, but the pair would be stranded after Troy induced the final out.
Troy took over the lead and the game in the bottom half of the frame. The Trojans’ Kate Benton led off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch with one out. After Ashley Winters was walked, the pair stole second and third to move into immediate scoring position. The game was tied at 2-2 after a sacrifice fly out to left field by the next batter.
After another batter was walked, an Elon error in left field on the next at bat led to the Trojans plating two runs to go ahead 4-2. The Phoenix made a change in the circle as senior Chelsea White replaced Burdette, but another wild pitch led to Troy adding its fourth run of the inning and moving up 5-2.
The Trojans added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth as the Phoenix suffered its first defeat of the season, 6-2.
Burdette (0-1) took the loss for the Phoenix after pitching 4.2 innings and gave up five runs, but only two earned, on four hits with five strikeouts. White also had a pair of strikeouts in her 1.1 innings of work.
Cameron led the way at the plate as the Kennesaw, Ga., native went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI. Roper and Little also had a pair of hits for the Phoenix.
The maroon and gold is back in action later this evening with a matchup against host No. 9/10 Georgia. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.