Elon Softball Rebounds at UNCG, 8-3

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Coming off a pair of setbacks versus UNCG yesterday, the Elon University softball team was able to rebound with an 8-3 win over the Spartans on Sunday, March 8, at the UNCG Softball Stadium.

BOX SCORE

After being swept in a doubleheader yesterday, Elon (11-10) was able to close out its three-game set with a win versus its longtime Triad rival UNCG (13-7) in the series finale. It was the first win for the Phoenix over the Spartans since 2018.

“Playing in a three-game series like this helps us get ready for conference especially with working with a young group,” said Elon head coach Kathy Bocock. “So we needed them to come back today and forget about what yesterday was and they did. Really liked the way (the team) responded today.”

At the Plate
The Phoenix posted its highest hit total this season with 10 versus the Spartans. Seven players registered at least one base hit for Elon with multi-hit games from Lauryn Clarke (2-of-2), Ally Repko (2-of-3) and Rebecca Murray (2-of-4). Clarke had a home run in the contest while Repko and Claudia Penny led the Phoenix with two RBI.

In the Circle
Kenna Quinn picked up the complete game win in the circle to improve to 5-1. The Boiling Springs, S.C., native allowed five hits, three runs and struck out three with six walks. It was Quinn’s first win in the circle since Feb. 16 versus Morgan State.

The Rundown
As was the case in both games yesterday, UNCG was the first team to strike early. The Spartans had its leadoff batter reach in the bottom of the first before she scored on a triple by Makenna Matthijs. Matthijs herself would cross the dish two batters later on a single up the middle to put the Spartans up 2-0.

Elon answered with a three-spot in the top of the third. Clarke reached on a free pass to begin the frame and moved to second with one out on a single by Drew Menscer. Murray then doubled down the left field line to drive in Clarke to put the Phoenix on the scoreboard. On the next at bat, Repko drove a single to the wall in right center, scoring Menscer and Murray as Elon took a 3-2 lead.

UNCG tied the game in its half of the third. The Spartans opened the inning with a walk and saw their runner move all the way to third on a passed ball and a fly out. After another free pass gave UNCG runners at the corners, a single up the middle scored the tying run to knot the game at three-all.

The Phoenix took the lead for good in the top of the fifth off the bat of Clarke. The Ashburn, Va., native took the first pitch she saw to open the inning and sent it over the left center fence for her first home run of the season. The round tripper put Elon back in front 5-4.

Elon added some insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Clarke doubled to begin the frame and scored on a Megan Grant single up the middle. After the next two batters were retired, the Phoenix stayed alive offensively as Repko singled up the middle before Carley Davis drove in Grant on a single to center. A passed ball moved both Repko and Davis into scoring position with Penny bringing both home on a single to put Elon ahead 8-3.

Quinn retired the first two batters to open the bottom of the seventh, but UNCG was able to get a pair on on walks to keep hope alive for the Spartans. Quinn however induced the final out on a fly out to center to close the game.

On Deck
Elon heads to Duke for a midweek matchup versus the Blue Devils on Wednesday, March 11. That game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start.