MT PLEASANT, S.C. – The Elon University softball team fell to College of Charleston in the series finale rubber match on Sunday afternoon, March 22, 5-1, at the Patriots Point Softball Complex.
Elon (18-8, 1-2 Colonial Athletic Association) could not overcome a four-run bottom of the second inning to the Cougars (17-14, 2-1 CAA) as the Phoenix suffered a setback in its first-ever CAA series. CofC starter Hope Klicker, who scattered four hits to the Phoenix in her 5.2 innings of action, also stymied the maroon and gold with her performance in the circle.
Elon starter Kiandra Mitchum (7-4) took the loss after only going 1.2 innings and gave up five runs off six hits. Junior Kayla Caruso went 4.1 scoreless innings in relief and gave up only two hits with a pair of strikeouts.
Carey Million led the Phoenix at the plate with a 3-for-3 outing including a double. Sarah Little, Emily Roper and Kara Shutt also had a hit for the Phoenix to add up its total of six all afternoon.
The Cougars added the first run of the contest in the bottom of the opening inning. Taylor Dupree earned a walk and stole second before crossing home plate on a Rebecca Mueller single to right field. The Phoenix settled in to induce the next three outs, but trailed CofC 1-0 after the first.
The Phoenix got into a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the second. Dupree reached on a one-out bunt single to load the bags before a bases clearing triple by Mueller put the Phoenix into a 4-0 deficit. After Caruso came on in relief of Mitchum, a wild pitch brought Mueller home and gave the Cougars a 5-0 lead after two.
Elon had its best chance to plates some runs in the top of the third. Aly Quintana reached on a leadoff hit-by-pitch and was moved to second on a wild pitch. Madison Kadlic joined her on the bases after she drew a free pass, but the pair ended up stranded as Elon was set down for the next three outs.
The Phoenix again saw its first two base runners reach on in the top of the seventh. Million and Little both led off with singles that gave the Phoenix with runners at first and second and no outs. Grace Eng loaded the base on a walk before another walk on Alaina Hall gave Elon its first run of the game. The Phoenix could not keep its momentum going as a strikeout ended the game, 5-1.
Klicker (9-10) picked up the win while Valerie Cassell earned her second save of the year for the Cougars. CofC left five base runners on base compared to eight for the Phoenix.
Elon is back in action on Tuesday, March 24, as the maroon and gold hosts Radford in a single-game contest at 2 p.m. at Hunt Softball Park.