ELON, N.C. – A five-run bottom of the first was enough support for the Elon University softball team in its 5-4 victory over UNCW in the Colonial Athletic Association series finale on Sunday afternoon, April 2, at Hunt Softball Park.
 
The Phoenix (21-13, 2-4 CAA) snapped a four-game losing skid to the Seahawks (25-7-1, 5-1 CAA). Elon's victory also broke a 10-game win streak by UNCW while improving to 16-5 on home this season.
 
At the Plate: Both teams had eight hits each…Six players for the Phoenix recorded a hit with Alaina Hall and Kristin Hoover both going 2-for-3…Emily Roper had two RBI to lead the Phoenix while Hoover and Carey Million also contributed with one…Roper added a double to her stat line while Hannah Olson legged out her second triple of the season.
 
In the Circle: Kiandra Mitchum (12-7) took the win in the circle for the Phoenix after pitching a complete game while giving up eight hits, four runs with three strikeouts…The 12 wins is the highest for an Elon pitcher since 2015.
 
The Rundown: The Phoenix put up five runs the bottom of the first. After Olson opened with a walk, three consecutive bunt singles drove her in with Million doing the honors. A wild pitch then scored another run before another bunt single from Hoover scored the third run of the frame. Elon tacked on two more on a two RBI double into left by Roper to put the maroon and gold ahead 5-0.
 
UNCW got on the board in the top of the fourth. The Seahawks' Lauren Moore was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, but was in danger of being stranded after the Phoenix induced the next two outs. A double into left by Dominique Travers scored Moore from first as UNCW cut into Elon's lead, trimming its deficit to four, 5-1.
 
The Seahawks added another run in the top of the fifth to bring their deficit to three after Merritt Wilkinson belted an RBI doubled with two outs to left field. That closed Elon's lead to 5-2 after the fifth.
 
Wilkinson brought the Seahawks closer with a two-out, two-run homerun to right in the top of the seventh. That made the score to 5-4, with the tying run coming to the plate, but the Phoenix was able to induce the final out on a lineout to third base to hold on for the win.
 
On Deck
Elon takes a nonconference visit to Virginia Tech on Wednesday, April 5, for a twin bill against the Hokies. The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled for a 5 p.m. first pitch.