Box Score MT PLEASANT, S.C. – Kayla Caruso pitched 6.0 innings and allowed only one earned run as the Elon softball team plated three runs in the top of the seventh to defeat College of Charleston today, March 17, 5-4 in the series finale. The Phoenix improved to 10-11 and 1-5 in Southern Conference play while the Cougars fall to 13-10 (5-1 SoCon).
 
Chelsea White (2-4) picked up the win on the afternoon while Caruso earned her first career save after reentering in the seventh inning.
 
Elon had 10 hits on the day with Carleigh Nester, Tomeka Watson and Emily Cameron tied the team-lead with two apiece. Watson, Johanna Spencer and Grace Eng all had an RBI for the Phoenix.
 
Elon was able to get into early scoring position in the top of the first. Nester and Watson each singled to reach base and gave the Phoenix two runners on base with only one out. After Watson stole second to move into scoring position, the Cougars elected to intentionally walk Spencer to load the bases with two outs. The strategy worked as CofC struck out the final batter to end the Phoenix’s threat.
 
The Phoenix would score first in the top of the second inning. Lauren Oldham hit a two-out single through the left side then advanced to second on Nester’s single to the shortstop. Aly Quintana smashed a double into left center to score Oldham and Nester and give Elon a 2-0 lead after the top of the second.
 
In the top of the third, Cameron and Spencer both reached on singles to lead off the inning which forced CofC to make a pitching change. Valerie Cassell came on in relief of starter Hope Klicker and was able to induce the final three outs for the Cougars to end the inning.
 
CofC tied the game in the bottom of the off the bat of Kelsey Hodgson. Hodgson hit a two-out two-run home run into left field to make the score 2-2.
 
White replaced Caruso in the bottom of the sixth inning. White was able to set down the first two batters she faced before CofC rallied to add two on with Ashton Jarrett coming to the plate. Jarrett hit a single to left field to score Kristy Giragosian, who reached earlier on a single to move ahead 3-2.
 
The lead was short lived as Elon rallied in the top of the seventh, plating three runs to move back ahead of the Cougars. Oldham led off the top of the seventh inning, reaching on an error and advanced to second on a Nester sacrifice bunt, giving the Phoenix the tying run in scoring position. Quintana was hit on a pitch by Cassell on the next at bat, followed by Watson hitting a single to left to score Oldham and tie the game at 3-3.
 
Elon continued the rally as Spencer reached on a fielder’s choice to score Quintana. Eng plated the final run of the inning with a single to left to score Cameron and give the Phoenix a 5-3 advantage heading into the bottom of the seventh.
 
The Cougars would make things interesting in the bottom half. Caruso reentered the contest and was able to force the first batter to pop up. Hodgson however hit a double to right center and crossed home plate on a Chandler Frisbie double to pull the Cougars within one. After a ground out to advance the tying run over to third, Caruso retired the final batter on a pop up to end the game.
 
Cassell (0-2) took the loss after pitching 4.2 innings and allowed three hits and three runs. Klicker went 2.0 innings with seven hits allowed and two runs earned.
 
The Phoenix will continue its road swing on Wednesday, March 20, at North Carolina Central in Durham, N.C. That game is slated to begin at 4 p.m.