Elon’s Nester Tabbed SoCon Women’s Softball Player of the Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Elon University softball senior outfielder Carleigh Nester was selected as the Southern Conference’s Player of the Week, the league office announced on Monday, March 3. It is the first weekly conference honor of the season for Nester and the second for the Phoenix program this year.

The Kernersville, N.C., native helped the Phoenix to a 4-1 record last week including a sweep of the field at its home tournament, the Elon Phoenix Tournament, last weekend. Nester hit .438 (7-for-16) with seven runs scored, three home runs, eight RBI and three doubles last week. She also added a stolen base and posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

Nester had a home run and drove in three in the Phoenix’s contest against Charlotte last Wednesday, Feb. 26. She hit another home run and added three more RBI while going 2-for-3 at the plate with a double in the Phoenix’s 17-8 win over Coppin State on Saturday, March 1. She posted a perfect day at the plate against the Lady Eagles on Sunday, March 2, going 2-for-2 with an RBI, a double and a stolen base in the 7-1 victory before closing out the tournament versus Presbyterian with a home run, a RBI and a double in the 9-4 win over the Blue Hose.

Nester legged out her 45th career double against Presbyterian, jumping into sole possession of third place all-time in school history. She also tied Brandi Jones (2006-09) for second all-time in career home runs with 26 with this past weekend.

Elon returns home to face Presbyterian in rematch on Wednesday, March 5, at 5 p.m. The Phoenix then hosts Radford in a weekend series beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 8.