ATHENS, GA. – The Elon University softball team ended its stay at the University of Georgia Red and Black Showcase with a defeat at the hands of host No.12 Georgia by the score of 10-2 on Saturday evening, Feb. 13, at Jack Turner Stadium.
Elon (2-2) split its games at the tournament while picking up both its victories versus Winthrop and its two losses to the Bulldogs (3-0). The Phoenix had five hits in the contest with redshirt sophomore Jenna Reilly providing the offense with her two-run home run in the second.
Starter Abby Barker (0-1) took the loss in the circle in her first collegiate start. The rookie went 4.0 innings with a strikeout.
The Rundown: Georgia opened the game by spotting three runs in the bottom of the first. An Alex Hugo single scored Sydni Emanuel, who led off the frame after being walked. Hugo herself would cross home plate on Alyssa DiCarlo’s double to right center before the Bulldogs added their third run on a Kaylee Puailoa grounder to second.
The Phoenix fought back in the top of the second. Carey Million led off with a standup double to center, but the next two Phoenix batters went down in order before Reilly’s at bat. After falling behind 0-2, the Marietta, Ga., native battled back to a full count before sending her first career homer over the left field fence to trim the Phoenix’s deficit to one, 3-2.
The Bulldogs quickly responded in the bottom half of the second with a leadoff solo home run by Lacey Sumerlin. UGA added its second run of the inning with Courtni Emanuel scoring off a one-out wild pitch. Georgia plated its third and final run of the frame on a sacrifice fly by Tina Iosefa.
The Bulldogs were held to one run in the third before plating three more in the fourth inning thanks to a two-run homer by Puailoa that made the score 9-2. An RBI single by Sydni Emanuel set the final score of 10-2.
Notes of Interest: After recording her first career hits and RBI in her first career start versus Winthrop in the previous game, Reilly provided her first career homer versus the Bulldogs…Elon fell to 1-12 all-time versus Georgia…All four Georgia natives got in the game for the Phoenix in Reilly, seniors Emily Cameron and Kayla Caruso and junior Alaina Hall.
On Deck
Elon is scheduled to host its home opener next Tuesday, Feb. 16, against North Carolina A&T. That game is slated for a 4:30 p.m. start.