ELON, N.C. – Gabi Schaal connected on her second home run in the past three games, but it was not enough as the Elon University softball team dropped an 11-3 contest at the hands of 19^th-ranked Michigan on Monday afternoon, Feb. 28, at Hunt Softball Park.
 
In the first-ever meeting between the two schools, the Phoenix (9-4) saw its two-game win streak snapped by the Wolverines (9-5). The matchup was also the first time a Big Ten conference opponent has played at Hunt Softball Park.
 
At the Plate
• Elon was held to two hits offensively with one of them being Schaal's third home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth. Kaitlyn Wells was credited with the other base hit for Elon.
 
In the Circle
• Freshman pitcher Taylor Cherry was saddled with the loss for Elon, falling to 2-2 overall on the year. The Suffolk, Va., native pitched 1.2 innings and allowed six hits and six earned runs. Alexa Nemeth tossed 3.1 innings in relief and allowed eight hits and five runs, with only two of those earned. She also added a strikeout to her stat line.
 
The Rundown
• The Wolverines were able to strike first in the top of the opening frame by scoring three runs on two outs. Elon allowed a one-out walk and saw Michigan steal second to move into scoring position before the next batter drove a double into center field. Rebecca Murray was able to gather the ball and throw out the advancing runner at home to prevent a run and record the second out.
• Elon could not escape the frame unharmed as the Wolverines plated a run on the next at bat on a single to left. After a pair of walks loaded the bases, Michigan continued the attack as a bloop single brought two more in across the dish to take a 3-0 lead.
• Michigan added three more runs with two outs in the top of the second. A double to left center by Hannah Carson plated two runs for the Wolverines before Carson herself scored on a single to double Michigan's lead to 6-0.
• After a scoreless third, the Wolverines put up a five-spot in the top of the fourth to expand their lead to 11-0.
• The Phoenix finally joined the Wolverines on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the fifth. Elon had two reach via one-out walks but was down to its final out after a fielder's choice with Schaal coming to the plate. The Lakeland, Fla., native worked a 1-2 count before she crushed a three-run home run to left to break the shutout. Another walk gave the Phoenix another runner on, but Michigan struck out the batter to secure the 11-3 run-rule victory.
 
On Deck
Elon is back on the diamond this Wednesday, March 2, hosting NC State in a midweek contest. That game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start.