ELON, N.C. – A base hit by eight different players and a complete game performance in the circle by Kenna Quinn helped the Elon University softball team to an 11-4 win over College of Charleston on Saturday, April 24, in its Colonial Athletic Association series opener against the Cougars at Hunt Softball Park.
The Phoenix won its fifth straight against the Cougars, improving to 14-17 overall on the season and 7-6 during CAA play. College of Charleston fell to 6-30 overall and 0-13 in the CAA.
At the Plate
Elon had 11 total hits in the contest, its second double-digit hitting performance in the last three games. Sophomore Carley Davis was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, while fellow sophomore Megan Grant also did not have a blemish at the dish, going 2-for-2. Freshman Mekayla Frazier drove in a team-high three RBI while Ally Repko had two RBI off her eighth home run of the season. Repko’s round tripper moved her in a tie for third all-time in school history with 26 career home runs.
In the Circle
Quinn tossed her ninth complete game of the season, improving to 8-8 overall. The Boiling Springs, S.C., native gave up six hits and two earned runs in the contest with five strikeouts.
The Rundown
The Phoenix trailed briefly after an Elon error in the first set up a tally for the Cougars, but a seven spot in the home half of the frame quickly erased that deficit. Gabi Schaal drove in Mekayla Frazier on a double to left center to tie the game before a bases-loaded walk to Claudia Penny put the Phoenix ahead 2-1. Elon added two more runs on RBI singles from Davis and Allie Eith before Frazier tacked on three more on her bases-clearing double to left center for a 7-1 advantage.
Elon added three more runs in the bottom of the second. After Rebecca Murray reached on a leadoff double to right center, Repko worked a full count before taking the sixth pitch she saw at the at bat over the fence in left field to give Elon a 9-1 lead. A wild pitch later in the frame led to another run crossing the dish and Elon with a 10-1 advantage.
An CofC error in the fourth tacked on another run for the Phoenix, but Charleston answered back with a three-run top of the fifth mostly behind a home run from the Cougars’ Mia Dittoe. The short rally would lessen Elon’s margin of victory, as the Phoenix went on win by a score of 11-4.
Notes
• Repko is now tied with Brandi Jones (2006-09) for the third-most home runs in school history with 26.
• Quinn has now made 115 appearances for the Phoenix in her career, which is third all-time in school history.
• Quinn’s victory today was also the 40th in her career, moving her for a tie for fifth all-time in school history.
• Frazier’s three RBI was the third time this season that the Miami, Fla., native has driven in three runs.
• Grant extended her hit streak to four games and has batted 6-for-11 over that span.
On Deck
The Phoenix and the Cougars close out the series tomorrow, April 25, with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Elon will also host its Senior Day and recognize three members of the program – Quinn, Repko and Alexa Nemeth – prior to its opening game.