DELAND, Fla. – The Elon University softball team (10-4) dropped back-to-back games for the first time of the season today, March 5, in the second day of the Stetson Invitational at Patricia Wilson Field, as the Phoenix dropped a pair of 2-0 decisions to Binghamton and Stetson.
Senior Caitlin McGowan went 3-for-4 in the two games for the Phoenix recording one double and drawing one walk. Tomeka Watson’s 12-game hitting streak came to an end as the sophomore was unsuccessful at the plate in Elon's two contests.
Game 1
After Lauren Taylor struck out the side in the first inning, the Bearcats got on the board in the top of the second after a solo homer over the fence in center from Demi Laney put Elon down 1-0. The Bearcats threatened again an inning later after putting two runners in scoring position, but Taylor managed to escape the inning and keep it a one-run contest.
Elon nearly broke the game open in the sixth after loading the bases with no outs, but Binghamton hurler Kristin Emerling got out of the inning without the Phoenix plating a runner.
The Bearcats took a 2-0 lead in the seventh after an RBI single from Phillips scored King, putting the Phoenix further behind headed into the bottom half of the inning.
But unlike yesterday’s thrilling finish, Elon was unable to pull off the comeback in the final inning, as Emerling retired the Phoenix in order to claim a 2-0 victory and hand Elon the loss.
Taylor (6-2) recorded just her second loss of the year after pitching the complete game, giving up one run on nine hits and striking out six. Binghamton’s Emerling earned the complete-game shutout win, her first win of the year.
Game 2
After five and a half innings of scoreless softball, Stetson’s Jill Semento sent a 2-0 pitch from Elon starter #Erin O’Shea# to left field for a two-run homer to score teammate Chrissy Morello, putting Phoenix down late.
Elon threatened to score its first runs of the day in the seventh after rookie Carleigh Nester led off the inning with a double to right center. After a sac bunt from Camille Hill advanced Nester to third, Danielle Lafferty drew a walk to load the bases late for the second straight game. But it would be for naught, as Stetson managed to get back-to-back force-outs at home and a pop up to end the threat and the game.
O’Shea (3-1) took the loss for the Phoenix, her first of the season, giving up only two runs off three hits and striking out nine of the 22 batters faced in six innings.
The Phoenix offense did not strike out once in game two, but the team stranded eight runners on base and registered just five hits.
The Phoenix will play in the consolation game of the Stetson Invitational tomorrow, March 6, against Tennessee State. The game will begin at 10 a.m.
-- ELON --
