Elon Softball Phoenix Bats Overtake Winthrop, 17-3 (Game 1)

ATHENS, GA. – The Elon University softball team tallied its highest run total since 2014 with its 17-3 run-rule victory over Winthrop on Saturday, Feb. 13, in its first game of the day at the University of Georgia Red and Black Showcase at Jack Turner Stadium.

The Phoenix (2-1) had 15 hits versus the Eagles (0-2) with sophomore Kara Shutt leading the way with a 3-for-4 performance. Shutt also had two RBI, a run and a walk to her stat line. Jenna Reilly (2-for-3, two runs, two RBI) and Callie Horn (2-for-3, two runs, RBI) also had multi-hit games for the maroon and gold. Alaina Hall and Erica Serafini both had a team-high three RBI in the contest.

Senior Kayla Caruso (1-1) earned her first victory of the season after the Kennesaw, Ga., native went 3.0 innings and gave up two hits with two runs, both unearned, while striking out four. Sophomore Kiandra Mitchum closed out the contest with 2.0 innings, one run allowed, unearned, with three strikeouts.

The Rundown: The Phoenix had a strong start to the game in the top of the first with three runs. Leadoff hitter Serafni, who reached earlier in the inning on a walk, scored after Carey Million grounded out to first. The Phoenix plated two more runs on back-to-back RBI singles by Kristin Hoover and Mitchum that pushed Elon’s lead to 3-0 at the end of the first.

After a quiet second inning, Reilly connected on a one-out RBI single through the right side with the bases loaded. The Phoenix added another run off a wild pitch and loaded the bases again on a walk before Hall cleared them with her triple to right center that made the score 8-0. Shutt added an RBI single to increase Elon’s advantage to 9-0.

Winthrop responded in the bottom half of the third with its first two runs of the contest. With the bases loaded, the Eagles plated a pair of runs due on a fielder’s choice to cut into the Phoenix’s lead, 9-2.

Elon got the two runs back in the top of the fourth. An error by the Eagles’ shortstop led to Hoover, who reached earlier in the inning on a leadoff walk, scoring from third. After Hailey Jomp was walked to load the bases, Shutt also received a free pass to add to the Phoenix’s run total to make it 11-2.

The Eagles added another run in the bottom of the fourth, but Elon spotted another six runs in the top of the fifth highlighted by Serafini’s two-RBI triple to right field. Mitchum would close out the game in the bottom half of the fifth by setting the Eagles down in order including a pair of strikeouts.

Inside the Box Score: The Phoenix’s 17 runs is the most for the program since also scoring 17 versus Coppin State on March 1, 2014…Elon’s 15 hits is the most for the team since having 16 also versus Coppin State in 2014…All but two players who recorded an at-bat for the Phoenix had a hit during the game…Hall has two triples through three games while having four all of last season.

Notes of Interest: Reilly made her first career start at second base…She also had her first career hits and RBI…Hall has nine RBI through the first three games after having 20 in 2014…The Phoenix has now won four of the last five meetings against Winthrop.

On Deck
Elon is back on the field later today to take on No. 12 Georgia in its final game at the Red and Black Showcase. Game time is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will air on the SEC Network +.