ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team took a 4-1 defeat at the hands of UNCG in its series finale on Sunday afternoon, March 17 at Hunt Softball Park. The Spartans (16-10) swept the Phoenix (15-10-1) in the series after winning two games yesterday on its home field in Greensboro.
At the Plate: Elon was stymied offensively by UNCG’s pitcher Stephanie Bryden, who held the Phoenix to three total hits in the game…Ally Repko had a double in the contest for the Phoenix while Ashtyn Foddrell drove in the lone run with a RBI single in the seventh…Elon also struck out eight times.
In the Circle: Hailey Jomp (0-2) took the loss in the circle, going 3.0 innings and gave up five hits, four runs and walked four batters…Kenna Quinn threw 4.0 scoreless innings in relief and allowed three hits with a pair of strikeouts….Bryden had a complete game with three hits and one run allowed along with eight fanned batters.
The Rundown
UNCG jumped out quickly on the Phoenix with the first three batters earning free passes to load the bases. A two-RBI single scored a pair of runs for UNCG before a sacrifice fly added another across the dish for the Spartans, who took a 3-0 lead after the top of the first.
Neither team did anything offensively in the second and third frames, but UNCG added its fourth run of the contest in the top of the fourth. The Spartans led off with a back-to-back singles before another single up the middle scored to put UNCG ahead 4-0. The Phoenix made a switch in the circle as Quinn came in for Jomp with runners on first and second. A sac bunt moved the pair into scoring position, but Quinn induced the next two outs to leave them stranded.
Elon got its first base runner on in the home half of the fourth. Repko led off the frame with a double down the right field line and advanced to third on a single from Rebecca Murray giving the Phoenix two on with no outs. Elon however hit into a double play on the next at bat and flied out to end the inning and the threat.
The Spartans threatened to extend their lead in the top of the seventh. UNCG loaded the bases with one out after runners reached on a fielding error, a single and a walk. The Phoenix was able to get out of the jam on a fielder’s choice and a strikeout to move to the home half of the frame.
The Phoenix saw its first two batters quickly get set down by Bryden before she walked pinch hitter Allie Eith to give the Phoenix a runner on with two outs. Another free pass, this time drawn by Megan White, gave Elon runners on first and second with Foddrell coming to the plate. The Warrenton, Va., native hit a bloop single to left field, scoring Eith while giving the Phoenix the tying run at the plate. The rally would be short-lived as a pop-up on the next at bat ended the game with UNCG coming away with the 4-1 win.
On Deck
Elon hosts another longtime Piedmont Triad rival in North Carolina A&T on Wednesday, March 20, at Hunt Softball Park. That game is scheduled for 5 p.m.