WILMINGTON, N.C. – Despite taking an early 4-0 lead, the Elon University softball team fell in its Colonial Athletic Association rubber match at UNCW on Sunday afternoon, May 2, 7-5, at Boseman Field. The contest was the final regular-season game for Phoenix.
Elon moved to 17-19 on the season and 10-8 overall in the CAA. The Seahawks improved to 15-23 overall and an even 9-9 mark during league play.
At the Plate
Rebecca Murray was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate on the day, driving in a pair of runs. Ally Repko drove in the lone other RBI for the maroon and gold. As a team, Elon had nine hits on the day.
In the Circle
McKenzie Weber was handed the loss for the Phoenix, falling to 2-5 on the year. Weber pitched 5.0 innings and gave up nine hits and seven runs, but only three earned. Kaitlin King pitched in relief and allowed no hits or runs in her 1.0 inning of action.
The Rundown
Elon put up a four-spot in the top of the second inning to take an early lead. Megan Grant opened the inning with a single and scored on a UNCW error to plate the first run of the game. Murray then drove in a pair of runs on a two-out single up the middle before Repko added to the score with her RBI single through the left side.
UNCW came back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third. Jada Santiago hit a two-out single up the middle to get the Seahawks on the board while moving a runner to third. A throwing error on the Phoenix allowed UNCW to score from third and cut the Phoenix’s lead in half, 4-2.
The Seahawks came alive in the bottom of the fifth aided by some Phoenix errors. A one-out, RBI single through the right side and an Elon throwing error tied the contest at four-all. Three more runs came across the dish for UNCW on a grounder and a single to right, giving the Seahawks the 7-4 lead.
The Phoenix was able to get a run back in the top of the seventh with two outs. Murray hit a single through the left side, which was then misplayed by the left fielder. The miscue allowed Drew Menscer to score from second, giving the Phoenix the tying run at the plate. UNCW however induced the final out on a fly out to left to earn the series win with the 7-5 victory.
On Deck
The Phoenix awaits its matchup for the CAA Tournament, scheduled to begin on May 12 through May 14, in Harrisonburg, Va.