MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – Lauren Taylor pitched 4.2 scoreless innings in relief for the Phoenix to earn a 5-2 win over College of Charleston today, March 13, at Patriots Point. Elon took the 2-1 series win over the Cougars, its first Southern Conference series of the season, after a split in yesterday’s doubleheader. The Phoenix improves to 13-5 on the year (2-1 SoCon), while CofC falls to 17-8 (1-2 SoCon).

The Phoenix got the scoreboard working in the first starting with a one-out single to center by Jackie Gonzalez gave Elon momentum. Gonzalez then advanced to second after Caitlin McGowan was hit by CofC pitcher Stephanie Saylors. Emerald Graham reached on a fielder’s choice that forced McGowan out at second but left runners on the corners for Carleigh Nester. During Nester’s at-bat, Elon successfully pulled off a double-steal that moved Graham to second and scored Gonzalez to give the Phoenix an early 1-0 advantage.

But the Cougars answered in the second, scoring one run to tie the game. After Elon starting pitcher #Erin O’Shea# issued two walks, CofC’s Kelsey Hodgson singled to left center to load the bases for Casey Corthell with one out. Corthell reached on a fielder’s choice in an Elon attempt to get the lead runner out at home. However, the throw home was wide and Katie Nutaitis managed to score the unearned run. Taylor came in to relieve O’Shea with the bases loaded and recorded the next two outs to end the inning to limit College of Charleston to just one run. 

Elon’s bats got hot in the third beginning with Tomeka Watson who hit a solo home run to left field, which flew over the fence just inches of the foul pole, to give the Phoenix a 2-1 lead. After a one-out single by McGowan, Graham reached on a fielder’s choice to put her senior teammate in scoring position. With two on and one out for the Phoenix, Nester hit a long single to left center to load the bases. At that point the Cougars were forced to make a pitching change, bringing in Jen Rosene from the bullpen for Saylors. Kaitlyn Piazzolla sent Rosene’s third pitch to the shortstop for an infield single that scored McGowan and advanced all the runners. With the bases once again loaded for Elon, Taylor sent the first delivery from Rosene up the middle for a two-RBI single that scored both Graham and Nester. The Cougars were able to end the inning on a double play but the Phoenix had already pushed across four runs off five hits to take a commanding 5-1 lead.

The Cougars scored one run in the bottom of the seventh to make it a three-run game, but the Phoenix held off the CofC offense to win the rubber-match and its first league series of the year.

Taylor earned the win after giving up six hits and no earned runs in 5.2 innings in the circle, including a six-pitch third inning, while striking out seven. Saylors took the loss for CofC giving up all five Elon runs, all of them earned, in 2.1 innings of work.

Watson went 2-for-4 at the plate on the day for the Phoenix, scoring one run with her solo home run, stealing one base and recording one RBI.

The Phoenix will play a mid-week game against the Wolfpack of NC State on Wednesday, March 16. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at East Field.