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Statistical Leaders |
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Radford |
Towson |
Elon |
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BAvg |
Gardner (.360) |
South (.476) |
Hall (.397) |
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Hits |
Gardner and Hutchens (9) |
Balk (18) |
Hall (23) |
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HR |
Gardner (2) |
McCormick (3) |
Cameron and Nester (6) |
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RBI |
Hutchens (5) |
McCormick (21) |
Cameron (18) |
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Wins |
Walters (3) |
Hickman (4) |
White (6) |
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IP |
Walters (31.1) |
McCormick (31.2) |
White (51.2) |
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ERA |
Walters (2.01) |
Hickman (2.90) |
Caruso (0.00) |
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ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team continues its 13-game homestand this weekend as the Phoenix welcomes Radford and Towson to Hunt Softball Park for a three-game slate beginning on Saturday, March 8.
Due to the recent weather in the surrounding areas, the start times for the games are to be determined.
Live Coverage
Fans can follow the Phoenix via live stats by going to the Elon softball schedule page at elonphoenix.com. Twitter updates will also be provided the handle @ElonScores or @ElonUSoftball.
Series History
Saturday's contest is the 27
th all-time meeting between Elon and Radford in a series that dates back to 1996 in the fast pitch era. Radford holds an 18-8 all-time advantage over the Phoenix, but Elon swept the Highlanders in a doubleheader during their most recent contests in 2011.
Elon and Towson are knotted at 1-1 in their series all-time after splitting both its contests in 2006.
Last Time Out
The Phoenix won its fifth straight game and sixth out of its last seven on Wednesday, March 5, with a 4-2 victory over Presbyterian. Senior
Carleigh Nester hit her 27
th career home run in that contest, moving to No. 2 all-time in school history behind Tomeka Watson's (2010-13) program mark of 34. Freshman
Carey Million also homered in the game, her third of the year, while
Caitlin O'Shea threw five shutout innings to earn the win.
Scouting the Phoenix (13-5-1)
As a team, the Phoenix is batting .306 with five players hitting .300 or better among players who have at least 10 at bats. The maroon and gold is in the top two of the Southern Conference in a majority of offensive categories, including average, hits, home runs and stolen bases. The Phoenix also carries the best fielding percentage in the league at .974.
Nester, who earned her third career SoCon Player of the Week accolade on Monday, March 3, is a double shy of tying Jenny Gustin (2001-04) for second all-time in program history and will need three to tie Dani Concepcion's (2002-05) record. The Kernersville, N.C., native is tied for the team-lead in home runs with six and is second with 16 RBI.
In the circle, the Elon pitching staff has allowed opponents a .244 average while posting an ERA of 3.36. Junior Chelsea White paces the squad in wins (six) and innings pitched (51.2). O'Shea is second on the team with three wins at a 3-1 record while posting a 1.54 ERA.
Scouting Radford (3-8)
Big South member Radford is led by head coach Maggie White. The Highlanders were tabbed sixth in the Big South 2014 Preseason Poll and have lost four straight after playing at the Citrus Classic from Feb. 28-March 2.
The Highlanders are batting .217 on the young season, but Julie Gardner has provided some offensive firepower at the plate with her team-high .360 average. She also leads the team in home runs with two and is tied for the team-lead with nine hits.
Scouting Towson (7-5)
Towson, a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), has won two straight to conclude its recent tournament, the Longwood Spring Classic on Feb. 23. Head coach Lisa Costello's squad was selected fifth in the CAA preseason poll.
The Tigers are one of only two teams in the CAA that has a batting average of .300 or better with its current .310 average. Three players have averages of .400 or better with Jessica South leading the way at .476. Missy McCormick has also provided a spark for Towson at the plate with her team-highs in home runs (three) and RBI (21).
McCormick has also made her presence in the circle, leading the team in innings pitched with 31.2. She is also second on the team in wins (three) and ERA (3.54) behind teammate Ambar Hickman and her four wins and 2.90 ERA.
On Deck
Elon concludes its homestand on Tuesday, March 11, as Elon welcomes Syracuse to Hunt Softball Park for the first time. That game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. first pitch.
-- ELON --
