ELON, N.C. – A complete game shutout from rookie Elise Walton aided the Elon University softball team to a 1-0, 10-inning victory over Central Connecticut State on Sunday, March 13, in the Phoenix’s final game of its home tournament this weekend at Hunt Softball Park.
Elon (12-11) went 4-0 over the weekend in its last tournament of the season thanks to a pitching gem by Walton (5-1) in the circle. The Lawrenceville, Va., native allowed five hits in her 10.0 innings while striking out a career-best eight batters for her second win of the weekend.
The Phoenix broke through with the walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 10th from Kristin Hoover. The hit was Hoover’s team-leading second of the day and the sixth overall for the maroon and gold. Elon’s Emily Roper also had a hit for a double in the contest.
The Rundown: The Phoenix struggled to get runners past second in the early duration of the game. Hannah Olson led off with a single to center in the bottom of the first and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, but was left stranded after the next two batters went down in order.
Elon again had a runner advance to second in the bottom of the fourth. The Phoenix had a leadoff single and moved the runner over on a bunt single by Kara Shutt. The runner however advanced too far past second and was eventually tagged out in a rundown with Shutt moving to second. Roper drew a free pass on the next at bat, but Elon hit into a double play to end the threat.
Walton kept the Blue Devils at bay as she retired eight straight after allowing a hit in the top of the fourth. CCSU broke through with a leadoff single in the top of the seventh, but saw its lead runner tagged out on a one-out fielder’s choice before Walton added her seventh strikeout of the game to end the frame.
CCSU had its first base runner reach second in the top of the 10th on a one-out double to right field. Walton however fanned her eight batter of the contest before inducing the final out on a grounder to the shortstop.
In the home half of the 10th, Roper opened with a double to right center, her first and only hit of the game. Senior Kayla Caruso replaced her as a pinch runner and advanced to third on a fielder’s choice. That set the stage for Hoover’s walk-off hit on a bloop single to center that gave the Phoenix the 1-0 win.
Notes of Interest: Elon also went into extra innings last season against CCSU with the Blue Devils earning a 1-0 win in another pitchers’ duel…Both of Walton’s victories this weekend came against 2015 NCAA Tournament teams in CCSU and Oakland…Senior Emily Cameron made her first start of the season as the designated player…Elon played in only its second game of the year when neither team committed an error.
On Deck
Elon moves on to another home contest as the Phoenix hosts Charlotte on Wednesday, March 16. That single-game contest is scheduled for a 5 p.m. opening pitch.