ELON, N.C. – Elon University head softball coach Kathy Bocock earned her 500^th career victory in the Phoenix's Colonial Athletic Association doubleheader split versus College of Charleston on Saturday, April 9. The maroon and gold won the opening game, 3-0, but fell in a late-inning rally to the Cougars in the nightcap, 5-4.
 
The Phoenix moved to 19-18 overall and 2-6 in the CAA standings. College of Charleston went to 7-26 on the season and 2-5 in league play.
 
Game One: Elon 3, College of Charleston 0
Elon got into an early hole at the start of game two. The Cougars had their first two batters of the game reach on a walk and a hit-by-pitch, but the Phoenix and starter Taylor Cherry finagled out of the inning with three straight strikeouts to hold off the threat.
 
The Phoenix had runners reach in each of the first three innings, but could not push them across as the game remained scoreless through the first four frames.
 
Elon finally broke the scoring stalemate in the bottom of the fifth. Drew Menscer led off on a single and moved to second on a fielder's choice to give the Phoenix a pair of runners on. After a sacrifice bunt advanced both runners into scoring position, Gabi Schaal took an 0-2 pitch over the wall in left to put the Phoenix ahead 3-0.
 
The Cougars had a runner reach in both the sixth and seventh inning, but the Phoenix was able to keep College of Charleston from making any real threats for the shutout win.
 
Schaal was 2-for-3 with her ninth home run of the season and three RBI to lead the Phoenix at the plate. She also added a double to her stat line.
 
Alexa Nemeth was credited with the win in relief, moving to 4-2 overall on the year. The Mooresville, N.C., native allowed two hits with one strikeout in her 3.0 innings. Cherry went 4.0 innings and struck out eight batters with one hit allowed.
 
Game Two: College of Charleston 5, Elon 4
Both teams traded runs in the first inning of game two. The Cougars opened with a run scored in the top half of the frame, but Elon knotted the contest at one-all on an RBI single from Carley Davis in the home half.
 
The Phoenix had a great chance to break the tie in the bottom of the third. Rebecca Murray singled to open the inning and stole second and third to move into scoring position with one out. The next two batters however were set down on a strikeout and a fly out to leave her stranded.
 
The Cougars retook the lead in the top of the fourth. CofC led off with a double and had the runner move to third before scoring on a groundout to go ahead 2-1.
 
Elon rallied with a two-spot in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead. With runners in scoring position, Davis drove in a run on a fielder's choice to tie the game and was able to hold off the defense in a rundown between first and second to allow another run to score as the Phoenix moved in front, 3-2.
 
College of Charleston rallied in the top half of the seventh to take the lead for good. The Cougars had their first two batters reach on a single and a hit-by-pitch before scoring on a Phoenix error to tie the game. A sacrifice fly and a passed ball added two more runs across the board for the Cougars, who carried a 5-3 advantage into the Phoenix's home half.
 
The Phoenix pulled closer in the bottom of the seventh. Murray doubled to center field with one out and moved to third on a Megan Grant single to give Elon a runner in scoring position. Murray would eventually score as Grant occupied the defense in a rundown between first and second allowing Murray to cross the dish from third. Schaal joined Grant on the bases after she drew a walk as Elon looked for the potential walk-off victory. The Cougars induced the final two outs on a fielder's choice and a ground out to escape with the 5-4 win.
 
Schaal (2-for-3) and Murray (2-for-4) combined for four of the Phoenix's seven hits in the contest. Davis drove in two RBI while Murray also added a double.
 
Isley Duggins was saddled with the loss to fall to 4-4 on the year. The rookie pitched 3.0 innings in relief and gave up one earned run with four strikeouts. McKenzie Weber started the game and tossed 4.0 innings and also allowed one earned run on four hits.
 
On Deck
The Phoenix and the Cougars conclude the series with the rubber match tomorrow, April 10, at 1 p.m.