ELON, N.C. – The Elon softball team will pay a visit to Harrisonburg, Va., tomorrow, April 11, for a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader at James Madison. The Phoenix will then return home for a Southern Conference series against the Mountaineers of Appalachian State on Saturday – Sunday, April 14 – 15.
A Look at the Phoenix
The Phoenix (17-11, 6-6 SoCon) is looking to snap a six-game skid beginning with a doubleheader at JMU on Wednesday. Elon was swept by Chattanooga over the weekend despite scoring 16 total runs in the three games and taking the lead to start each game. Tomeka Watson leads the team with 33 hits and a .379 batting average, having only struck out one this season.
Scouting the Dukes
James Madison (20-20) is on an eight-game winning streak and coming off a series sweep at conference opponent George Mason. Last week, shortstop Ashley Burnham hit two home runs and hit over .400, while catcher Megan Shinaberry went 6-for-13 with two doubles, two runs and two RBI.
Scouting the Mountaineers
Appalachian State swept Western Carolina over the weekend and is 15-17 on the season and 6-7 in SoCon play. Junior Meghan Smith finished the weekend 7-for-11 with six RBI, four runs and a slugging percentage of 1.364. The Mountaineers are second in the conference in team batting (.297), while Allie Cashion leads the SoCon in home runs (12) and is second in RBI (38).
The Series
The Phoenix and Dukes met earlier this season in the Phoenix Softball Clash on Saturday, Feb. 18. JMU won, 7-4, after scoring its final three runs in the last two innings of the game. Watson went 4-for-4 at the plate, scoring one run. A rubber match was scheduled for the following day but was cancelled due to inclement weather. Elon owns the all-time series with a record of 5-3.
Elon holds a 20-12 series record over ASU. However, the Mountaineers swept the Phoenix last season in Boone, N.C. The last game ended in five-innings with a 9-1 ASU victory. The maroon and gold’s loan run of the game came off a solo home run by then senior Pam DelPizzo.
The Bocock Box
Heading into this week’s five games, interim head coach Kathy Bocock is 17-11 as the helm of the Phoenix program. She holds a 253-405 career coaching record.
Record Book Update
Erin O’Shea has appeared in more games in the circle than any other Phoenix. The senior has appeared in 113 games in her career and started 75 of those games (third all-time). O’Shea is also second in strikeouts with 411 and fourth in wins with 46.
Watson has stolen 13 bases this season to give her 61 steals and place her third on the all-time list (one steal shy of second).
Twice as Nice
Elon ranks sixth in the county in double plays per game. The Phoenix has recorded 15 double plays in its 28 games, averaging 0.54 per game.
On Deck
After the weekend series against the Mountaineers, Elon will hit the road for 11 straight away games, beginning with a game at NC State on Wednesday, April 18, at 6 p.m. The Phoenix will return home on Saturday, May 5, for its final regular-season games of the season with a series against College of Charleston.