Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

GREENVILLE, S.C. – After dropping game one of a doubleheader, 8-5, on Wednesday afternoon, April 27, the Elon softball team bounced back in game two to claim a 4-1 victory over the Furman Paladins to split on the opening day of a key Southern Conference series at Pepsi Stadium in Greenville, S.C.

The Phoenix now sits at 24-21 overall and 9-11 in the Southern Conference, while Furman moves to 15-29 (7-13 SoCon) following the split.

Game One

The Phoenix could not recover from a six-run first inning from the Paladins, as starter Lauren Taylor was pulled after the first five batters of the game reached base safely via hit or walk to put Elon down early.

Elon limited Furman to a 6-2 lead in the top of the fourth after Camille Hill recorded a one-out single that scored Kaitlyn Piazzolla and Jackie Gonzalez reached on a fielder’s choice that plated Pam DelPizzo.

But the Paladins reclaimed a six-run edge in the bottom half of the fourth after Jessie Homesly ripped a two-run double down the right field line to put Elon down, 8-2.

The Phoenix rallied in the top of the seventh to pull within three runs after DelPizzo came up big with a three-run double over the head of Furman right fielder Nikki Legg to make it an 8-5 game. But that was as close as Elon would come, as the Paladins’ Kayla Suskauer managed to get out of the inning without any further damage to preserve the complete-game win.

DelPizzo finished game one 1-for-2 with two walks, one double and three RBI, while Hill and Emerald Graham both went 2-for-4 for the Phoenix.

Kari Pervell pitched six strong innings in relief of Taylor, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks.  Taylor drops to 12-9 on the year after taking the loss for Elon.

Suskauer earned the victory for Furman to improve to 10-12 on the year after going seven innings and giving up five runs on nine hits and five walks.

Game Two

The Paladins put the first run of game two on the board in the bottom of the second inning after Katie Michaels hit a two-out RBI single to center to put runners on the corners and give Furman a 1-0 lead. Elon starter #Erin O’Shea# managed to get out of the inning without any further damage after inducing an inning-ending groundout to short.

The Phoenix more than capitalized on a Furman throwing error by Suskauer in the top of the third to score four runs and take a 4-1 advantage. Following the throwing error that would have ended the inning and kept Elon scoreless, but instead scored one, the Phoenix plated three additional runs on an RBI single to center from Graham and a two-run double to right center from Piazzolla to take the lead.

Tomeka Watson put the Phoenix in scoring position in the top of the fifth inning to give her team momentum after roping a two-out line drive to the gap in left center for a double. But Elon could not push Watson across the plate and it remained a 4-1 game.

Furman put runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the fifth after a leadoff hit batter, single and fielder’s choice at first gave the Paladins a chance to cut into Elon’s three-run lead. But O’Shea buckled down and retired the next two batters via strikeout and groundout to keep it a 4-1 game.

The Phoenix threatened in the top of the sixth after Piazzolla leadoff double to center and an infield single from Hill put two runners on with no outs. But the Paladins managed to escape the inning without any runs crossing the plate to keep it a 4-1 game after Piazzolla was caught stealing at third base and a pair of pop outs.

But O’Shea would keep the Paladins in check for the remainder of the contest to preserve the win and the day-one split for the Phoenix. O’Shea went the distance for the Phoenix to improve to 9-10 on the year, giving up one run on five hits and two walks, while fanning seven Paladins.

Watson led Elon at the plate after going 3-for-4 with a run scored, while Piazzolla and Hill each tallied two hits for the Phoenix in the win.

Tomorrow’s rubbermatch is set for 1 p.m. at Pepsi Stadium.