ELON, N.C. – After an unexpected five-day break from play, the Elon University softball team is back in action this weekend, April 11-12, with a Colonial Athletic Association series against Delaware at Hunt Softball Park. The three-game slate begins with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 11, at 1 p.m. before concluding on Sunday, April 12, also at 1 p.m.
Live CoverageFans can follow the Phoenix this weekend 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. The entire series will be steamed online for free on the Phoenix All-Access channel with Matt Krause and Bryan Anderson providing the call.
Pink DayThe Phoenix is hosting its annual Pink Day on Saturday as the team will wear its pink jerseys in support of cancer awareness. The program is also participating with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) with its Strikeout Cancer program for the first time. Be sure to wear pink or maroon on Saturday to support the Phoenix to help raise cancer awareness.
Series History Elon and Delaware have met five times in previous seasons prior to this weekend. The Blue Hens hold a slight 3-2 edge all-time over the Phoenix in a series dating back to 2001. The Phoenix however won the last time the two teams played on the softball diamond, 6-3, in 2005.
Rain Rain go AwayElon saw its midweek doubleheader at Appalachian State, originally scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, cancelled due to heavy rainfall in the Boone, N.C., area. At this time, there are no plans to reschedule the games.
Wednesday's cancellation marks the 15th contest from the Phoenix's original schedule that has been affected by the weather or other scheduling conflicts.
Scouting the Phoenix (23-12, 5-4 CAA)Despite a 7-1 setback to Towson in its rubber match last Sunday, April 5, Elon still sits third in the CAA league standings with its 5-4 mark. The Phoenix is a game up over Delaware (4-4) and College of Charleston (4-5) as Elon battles to stay in the league's playoff race.
As a team, the maroon and gold has received 39 hit-by-pitches this year, its highest total ever at the Division I level. That mark also leads the CAA with Elon having three players listed in the top-four of the league in
Emily Roper (13),
Aly Quintana (11) and
Hannah Olson (seven).
Head coach
Kathy Bocock earned win No. 92 at Elon last Saturday against Towson and needs eight victories to become the third coach in program history with 100 or more wins in the fastpitch era. Bocock is also the only coach in school history to have reached the 20-win plateau in each of her first four seasons.
Olson still leads the team with a .365 average with classmate
Kara Shutt not far behind with a .351 average. In league play, Shutt is hitting a team-best .357 and paces the team with 40 total hits, 10 doubles and 25 RBI. The Greensboro, N.C., native is also the first freshman to reach 10 or more doubles since
Carleigh Nester (2011-14) in 2011.
In the circle, the duo of freshman
Kiandra Mitchum and junior
Kayla Caruso have seen the most time for Elon with Mitchum leading the team with 83.2 innings while posting a 3.26 ERA with 35 strikeouts. Caruso leads the team with eight wins and has a 2.47 ERA in her 68.0 innings. She also has fanned a team-best 46 batters.
Scouting Delaware (20-13, 4-4 CAA)Coming off a 23-25 campaign a season ago including a 5-12 mark in CAA play, the Blue Hens were tabbed to finish fifth in the league's 2015 preseason poll, just a spot ahead of the Phoenix. Delaware defeated Monmouth on the road on Wednesday, 9-5, in its most recent contest.
Fifth-year head coach Jaime Wohlbach returns 14 letterwinners and welcomes nine newcomers for the 2015 season. Senior Jessica Grisler is one of the top returners for the Blue Hens as she is tied for the team-lead in hits with 40 and is tied for first in the nation in triples with eight. Freshman Mariah Kondravy leads the CAA in homers with seven while posting a .377 average, the best among players with at least 100 at-bats. Collectively, Delaware is hitting .297 overall as a team.
Carolyn Szymanski has carried the load for the Blue Hens in the circle leading the team in wins (14), appearances (23), innings (119.2), strikeouts (101) and complete games (10) while posting a 2.57 ERA. As a unit, Delaware has a 3.12 ERA with 171 strikeouts with opponents batting .253 against them.
On DeckElon continues its home stand as the Phoenix welcomes local rival North Carolina A&T for a twin bill on Wednesday, April 15. The opening game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. first pitch.
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