ELON, N.C. – The Elon softball team continued its winning ways with a 2-1 decision over Georgetown and a 5-1 victory over Rider on the final day of the Elon Invitational. The Phoenix improved to a perfect 6-0 on the season. The Phoenix had four players register at least two hits, including Jackie Gonzalez who led the charge, going 3-for-6 with a triple and an RBI. Emerald Graham scored twice and belted Elon’s only home run of the day.
Elon pitchers Erin O’Shea and Lauren Taylor each improved to 2-0 on the year. O’Shea earned the victory over Georgetown after giving up one run on five hits in seven innings in the circle. Each pitcher racked up four strikeouts. Taylor picked up the complete-game win against Rider, allowing just one run on four hits.
Game One – Elon 2, Georgetown 1
It was a game of pitching and defense in Elon’s first game of the day as neither Georgetown nor Elon was able to get on the board in the opening two innings. The Phoenix looked to strike in the bottom of the first as Gonzalez and Tomeka Watson earned back-to-back singles. The pair moved into scoring position, but Georgetown’s Jennifer Connell struck out the final two Phoenix batters.
Elon plated the first run of the game in the bottom of the third. Ashlee Crewe greeted the inning with a double to center field and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hannah Shelton. With two outs, Watson hit a RBI single to right field that scored Crewe. Watson would not advance farther than third as Graham ended the inning with a fly out to right field.
The bats were quiet over the next two innings, as the teams combined for just four hits before Georgetown got on the board in the top of the sixth. Shikara Lowe was the first Hoya to reach when she drew a walk. She tied the game, 1-1, on a throwing error by Elon’s Danielle Lafferty. Taylor retired the final batter to end the inning with one runner left on base.
With the score knotted 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Graham belted a home run that gave Elon a 2-1 lead. The Phoenix retired the side in the top of the seventh to get the win.
Connell fell to 1-1 on the season after allowing two runs on eight hits in six innings of work.
Game Two – Elon 5, Rider 1
Elon used a three-run second inning to take a 3-0 lead over Rider in the final game of the two-day tournament. Graham drew a walk to open the inning and then stole second. Lafferty used an infield single to put runners at the corners. Graham crossed the plate on a wild pitch for Elon’s first run of the game. A fielder’s choice allowed Caitlin McGowan to score Lafferty from third to put Elon up 2-0. The third and final run of the inning came on an RBI single through the left side by Gonzalez. Elon was unable to take advantage of a bases loaded situation as the final batter was retired.
Rider put up a run in the top of the fourth. Ally Melia drew a walk and advanced to third on a stolen base and a sacrifice bunt. She crossed home when Candice Harris singled through the left side that made it a 3-1 game.
Elon added a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. DelPizzo belted a two-out double to center that scored Taylor and Morgan Wright and allowed Elon to jump out to a 5-1 lead. She was stranded at third after Rachael Matreale struck out the final Phoenix batter.
Rider recorded two hits in its final half-inning. Brittany Eckett looked to get things started in the top of the seventh with a one-out double to right. Following a fly out, Alyssa Paul singled up the middle that put runners at the corners. The Broncs were unable to get a run across home plate as the final batter hit into a fielder’s choice.
Matreale suffered the loss and fell to 0-2 on the season after allowing five runs on six hits in six innings in the circle. She also struck out five batters.
Elon will take on IUPUI in a three-game series that begins Saturday, February 27 at 1 p.m. The teams will play a double-header on Saturday with the second game slated for a 3 p.m. start. The series will wrap up on Sunday, February 28 at 1 p.m.
