Box Score

ELON, N.C. – Strong defense and a four-run fifth inning started the 2012 season off with a 4-1 win for the Elon softball team (1-0) against Liberty (0-1) today, Feb. 10, at East Field. The win in the opening game of the Elon Invitational is the first for interim head coach Kathy Bocock at Elon, as she took control of the Phoenix program in August.
 
Senior #Erin O’Shea# (1-0) earned the win for the maroon and gold after pitching a complete game and giving up one run off four hits, while striking out six. Alyssa Dimartino (0-1) also went the full game for the Flames, allowing four runs, all unearned, off five hits with three strikeouts.
 
Outfielders Tomeka Watson and Carleigh Nester, who both made big plays in the outfield for the Phoenix, each recorded one hit and two RBI.
 
The Flames loaded the bases with one out in the first inning after Sammi Shivock and Kelly Strickland pushed Grace Nordan, who reached on a single, over to third off walks. However, Elon veteran O’Shea battled back in the circle, striking out Jenny Law and getting Kaylee West to line out to move the game to the bottom of the inning.
 
After a few scoreless innings, Liberty struck first in the fourth taking a 1-0 lead after Law scored on a sacrifice fly to centerfield from Amber Donovan. Law reached base on a single to right field and advanced off a single by West and a sacrifice bunt by Bridgett Woods.
 
Cyra Cottrell and Johanna Spencer both drew walks and put runners in scoring position for the Phoenix to start the bottom of the fifth. Spencer and Cottrell moved to second and third after McKenzie Harrelson reached on a bunt that was misfielded by Liberty third baseman Woods. A bunt by designated player Camille Hill placed her on first with Harrelson and Charyssa Parent, a pinch runner for Spencer, on second and third, while the fielder’s choice took Cottrell out at the plate. With one out, Watson scored Parent and Harrelson, moving Hill to third, with a ground-rule double to centerfield to give the Phoenix a 2-1 edge. Nester took Dimartino’s next pitch and hit a single through the right side to score both Hill and Watson and put the maroon and gold up by three, 4-1.
 
Liberty left three runners on base in the final two innings, but strong defense by the Phoenix and two strikeouts by O’Shea sealed the season-opening win for Elon.
 
The Phoenix resume play in the Elon Invitational tomorrow, Feb. 11, with games against North Carolina Central and Georgetown. The game against the Eagles is scheduled for 11:45 a.m., while the match-up with the Hoyas is set for 2 p.m.