ELON, N.C. – Offensive struggles plagued the Elon University softball team in its annual Pink Day today, April 4, in a 5-0 loss to visiting Charlotte. Although the Phoenix out hit the 49ers, 4-3, the maroon and gold were not able to push any runs across the plate. Elon falls to 17-8 on the season, while Charlotte improves to 17-18.
Lexi Betancourt (11-8) earned the win in the complete game shutout, giving up four hits and striking out eight. Erin O’Shea (10-5) took the loss after going four innings, allowing five runs off four hits and striking out five.
After two scoreless innings, Mother Nature forced the suspension of the game for just over two hours. Once play resumed, the 49ers put the first run on the board in the top of the fourth with a solo home run to left by Briana Gwaltney, her 11th homer of the year.
Charlotte’s Lindsay Hollman managed to draw a walk off a full count from E. O’Shea to start the fifth inning. After Hollman advanced to second on a wild pitch, Chelsea Lisikatos was walked and then Alex Rogers singled to the pitcher to load the bases with no outs for the 49ers. Lorena Vela sent the third pitch from E. O’Shea just right of the left field foul pole for a grand slam and a 5-0 Charlotte lead. Caitlin O’Shea then relieved E. O’Shea in the circle and recorded the three outs to end the inning.
In the top of the seventh, Chelsea White made her debut for the Phoenix in the circle, facing four batters and striking out two to keep Charlotte from taking a bigger advantage.
The Phoenix had its best chance to score in the bottom of the seventh. Ali Ford singled to left field in her first collegiate at-bat and then advanced to second once Karen Berna drew a walk. Ford reached third on a passed ball with no outs but the inning came to a close a few batters later without the Phoenix crossing the plate.
The Phoenix and 49ers made it three innings into game two of the originally scheduled doubleheader before the game was cancelled due to inclement weather.
Elon gets back to work on Friday, April 6, at 1 p.m. with a doubleheader at SoCon opponent Chattanooga.