Elon Athletics Weekly Update

ELON, N.C. – Every Monday, Phoenix fans can get a look at the week ahead with our “Elon Athletics Weekly Update” feature when we will preview all the week’s upcoming events for our sports teams. “Follow us” on Twitter at @elonphoenix and @elonscores, “Like” Elon Phoenix on Facebook and continue to check elonphoenix.com to stay current on all things Elon Athletics.

Baseball (8-3)
Elon at High Point, Tuesday, March 4, at 4 p.m., High Point, N.C.
Chanticleer Classic Tournament
Elon vs. Minnesota, Friday, March 7, at 1:30 p.m., Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Elon vs. UMBC, Saturday, March 8, at 10 a.m., Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Elon at Coastal Carolina, Saturday, March 8, at 1:30 p.m., Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Elon vs. UMBC, Sunday, March 9, at 10 a.m., Myrtle Beach, S.C.

• The Phoenix posted a 3-2 record last week with wins over UNC Wilmington, Saint Joseph’s and Gardner-Webb.
• The reigning SoCon Pitcher of the Week, senior lefty Jake Stalzer continued the incredible start to his Elon career. Against Gardner-Webb on Sunday, Stalzer threw Elon’s first complete game shutout since May 2010. He allowed just three hits and struck out five. Stalzer has not allowed an earned run in 23.0 innings this year and has not allowed any run in 22.2 innings.
• Elon will have another five-game week with all five outings coming away from Latham Park. The maroon and gold will look to even the season series with High Point on Tuesday before heading to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to play in the Chanticleer Classic hosted by Coastal Carolina. There, Elon will face Minnesota and UMBC for the first time in program history.
• Tuesday’s game at High Point will mark Mike Kennedy’s 1,000th game as Elon’s head coach. The 18th-year skipper has posted a career record of 585-411-3.

Men’s Basketball (18-13)
Elon Basketball Live, Tuesday, March 4, at 6:30 p.m., Mellow Mushroom (Burlington)
Southern Conference Tournament
#4 Elon vs. #5 Western Carolina, Saturday, March 8, at 2:30 p.m., Asheville, N.C.

• With the regular season in the rearview mirror, Elon opens the 2014 SoCon Tournament on Saturday, March 8, against fifth-seeded Western Carolina. Tip is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, N.C.
• The Phoenix finished the regular season with an 18-13 record, including an 11-5 mark in SoCon play. Elon’s 18 wins thus far are the second most during the school’s Division I era, trailing only last year’s 21-win season.
• Elon split two regular season meetings against Western Carolina (17-14, 10-6 Southern Conference) this year. The Phoenix claimed a 74-60 win over the Catamounts on Jan. 30 in Alumni Gym to begin its eight-game winning streak. The Catamounts won the Jan. 4 meeting in Cullowhee, N.C., claiming a 74-60 victory.

Men’s Tennis (6-3, 1-0)
Elon vs. Samford, Saturday, March 8, at 1 p.m., Jimmy Powell Tennis Center
Elon vs. Davidson, Sunday, March 9, at 1 p.m., Jimmy Powell Tennis Center

• The men’s tennis team will look to stay in the win column after winning its last two matches when Samford and Davidson come to the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center this weekend.
• The Phoenix earned two wins last week against Brown and SoCon opponent Chattanooga. Elon found itself in a battle with Brown on Friday, Feb. 28, after the Bears clawed back from a 3-0 deficit, but Stefan Fortmann won the match for the Phoenix with a win on court No. 4. A day later, Elon opened SoCon play against Chattanooga and made quick work of the Mocs, winning the match 7-0.
• Saturday’s match against Samford marks the first time the Bulldogs come to the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center since last April when they topped Elon in the SoCon Tournament finals. The two have already met this season at the ITA Kickoff Weekend tournament on January 25. The Phoenix exacted a measure of revenge against the Bulldogs in taking a 4-2 victory in Charlottesville, Va.
• Elon is currently ranked No. 40 in the country, per the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) national rankings. The Phoenix has made the ninth biggest jump in the polls this season having jumped 24 spots from its preseason rank of No. 64. New rankings will be released tomorrow, March 4.

Softball (12-5-1)
Elon vs. Presbyterian, Wednesday, March 5, at 5 p.m., Hunt Softball Park
Elon vs. Radford (DH), Saturday, March 8, at 1 p.m., Hunt Softball Park
Elon vs. Radford, Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m., Hunt Softball Park

• Elon continues its home stand this week facing Presbyterian on Wednesday, March 5, for a midweek contest before hosting Radford this weekend, March 8-9, for a three-game series at Hunt Softball Park.
• Elon went 4-1 last week in its five games, including a 4-0 weekend at its home tournament, the Elon Phoenix Tournament. Elon defeated Coppin State (twice), Dayton and Presbyterian in the field. The Phoenix batted .402 with 10 home runs while posting a 3.23 ERA compared to 9.57 from its opponents.
• Senior Carleigh Nester continues her run up the program’s record books in home runs and doubles. The Kernersville, N.C., native is now three doubles shy of tying Dani Concepcion (2002-05) for the program’s all-time record as she sits on 45 career doubles. She also currently tied for second all-time in school history with 26 career home runs with Brandi Jones (2006-09).

Women’s Basketball (14-15)
Elon Basketball Live, Tuesday, March 4, at 6:30 p.m., Mellow Mushroom (Burlington)
Southern Conference Tournament
#5 Elon vs. #4 Appalachian State, Saturday, March 8, at 2:15 p.m., Asheville, N.C.

• Elon closed out the regular season with a 44-43 win at Samford on Sunday after falling to regular-season champion Chattanooga on Friday.
• The Phoenix is 6-10 all-time in SoCon tournament games and reached the semifinals two of the last three last years.
• Last week, rookie Jenifer Rhodes was named the SoCon CRONS Freshman of the Week for the third time this season after averaging 13.5 points and 8.0 rebounds for the Phoenix in game against Wofford and Furman. Rhodes is currently the top scoring freshman in the league.

Women’s Lacrosse (1-3)
Elon vs. Detroit, Wednesday, March 5, at 7 p.m., Rhodes Stadium
Elon at Coastal Carolina, Saturday, March 8, at 1 p.m., Conway, S.C.

• The Phoenix recorded its first win in program history in the form of a 16-7 final in its first home game on Saturday.
• Attack Sloane Kessler recorded a game-high five goals, as well as one assist, to lead Elon to its first victory. Sydney Hesselbein netted three goals, while six other players also scored goals in the game.
• Elon will remain at Rhodes an play its first Atlantic Sun game on Wednesday when it hosts Detroit at 7 p.m. before traveling to Coastal Carolina on Saturday.

Women’s Golf
Elon at Edwin Watts/Kiawah Island Classic, Monday-Tuesday, March 3-4, Kiawah Island, S.C.

• The Elon women’s golf team opened its spring season on Sunday at the Edwin Watts/Kiawah Island Classic hosted by College of Charleston.
• The Phoenix ended the first round tied for ninth out of 36 programs and was led by sophomore Emily Brooks who a two-over par 74 to tie for 23rd.
• Elon is one of five SoCon schools in the field, the largest NCAA Division I women’s tournament in the nation.

Women’s Tennis (5-4, 1-0)
Elon at East Carolina, Thursday, March 6, at 2:30 p.m., Greenville, N.C.

• Winners of five consecutive matches, the women’s tennis team will look to continue its streak Thursday, March 6, on the road against East Carolina.
• On Saturday, the Phoenix opened its last season of SoCon play against Georgia Southern with a 7-0 sweep of the Eagles at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center. In the match, Frida Jansaker and Maria Camara Ruiz set the tone early for Elon with a convincing 8-0 win in doubles court No. 2. The set was finished in just 25 minutes.
• Throughout the team’s streak, the Phoenix has picked up four sweeps in the five victorious matches. The only match Elon did not sweep was a 4-3 win against UNC Wilmington on February 17.