ATHENS, Ga. – Hannah Shelton went 2-for-3 with two runs as the Elon Phoenix handed Middle Tennessee State a 6-1 loss on the first day of the UGA Bulldog Invitational in Athens, Ga. With the win, Elon improves to 9-1 on the season while MTSU falls to 3-7.
Elon pitcher Erin O’Shea picked up the complete game win to remain undefeated on the year at 4-0. She allowed just one run on six hits and two walks. She also struck out two.
Lindsey Vander Lugt of Middle Tennessee fell to 2-5 on the season after allowing five unearned runs on three hits in four innings of work. Janele Robinson allowed one run on two hits in two innings of relief.
Jackie Gonzalez got things started for the Phoenix with an infield single in the bottom of the first. The Phoenix loaded the bases after Tomeka Watson drew a walk and Caitlin McGowan reached on a fielding error. With one away, O’Shea drove in Gonzalez with a groundout to short for Elon’s first run of the game. Elon was unable to push another runner across the plate as a popup to first ended the inning.
MTSU threatened in the top of the third inning after Kandra Shingleton drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Shingleton moved to third on a double by Caitlin McLure. O’Shea pitched her way out of the jam as she retired the final two batters in order.
Watson greeted the bottom of the third with a single to left field. A stolen base and a pair of MTSU miscues allowed Watson to round the bases and gave the Phoenix a 2-0 lead. The Phoenix stretched its lead to 3-0 when McGowan scored on a throwing error by the pitcher. The third Blue Raider error of the inning scored Emerald Graham from third, putting Elon up 4-0.
Elon made it a 5-0 game when Shelton crossed the plate on a RBI groundout. Shelton opened the bottom of the third inning with a single to right field and later stole second. With one out, Watson reached on a fielder’s choice that moved Shelton to third due to a throwing error. She scored one batter later when McGowan grounded out to short.
Middle Tennessee avoided the shutout with a run in the top of the sixth. McLure singled to center and stole second and third. Natalie Ysais put the ball into play with a two-out single to left field that scored McLure. MTSU left two stranded as the final batter of the inning popped up to short.
The Phoenix answered with a run in the bottom half of the sixth inning to that made it a 6-1 game. Shelton led off the inning with an infield single and moved into scoring position on a groundout before a wild pitch allowed Shelton to make it to third. With one out, Watson plated Shelton with a groundout to second.
O’Shea allowed just one hit in the final half-inning of the game that sealed Elon’s 6-1 win.
Middle Tennessee committed six errors, the most by an Elon opponent since March 8, 2009 when Michigan State tallied five miscues.
The Phoenix will face Minnesota on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. on the second day of the Bulldog Invitational. Elon will also take on No. 4 Georgia at 4:45 p.m.
