ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team was handed a 3-1 setback against its longtime Piedmont Triad rival UNCG on Sunday, March 5, in the final contest of a three-game set this weekend at Hunt Softball Park.
Elon was handed its sixth straight defeat to fall to 5-14 overall on the season. The Spartans improved to 12-7 on the year with their first series sweep over the Phoenix since 2019.
AT THE PLATE
• Elon was held to three total hits on the afternoon.
Claudia Penny went 1-of-3 with a home run – her second of the series – while
Carley Davis and
Mauri Murray also registered hits in the game with Murray's being a double.
IN THE CIRCLE
• Starter
Michaela Hobson (0-1) received the loss after pitching 3.0 innings with four hits and three runs allowed. She also walked a pair of batters.
•
Isley Duggins and
Meredith Wells pitched 2.0 innings each in relief. The pair combined to give up three hits with two strikeouts (both by Wells).
• UNCG's Rhyann Jones improved to 4-0 on the season after giving up just one hit in her 5.0 innings of action with a strikeout. Jorde Chartrand earned her second save of the season after tossing 2.0 innings with three strikeouts and a run allowed.
THE RUNDOWN
• Hobson and the Phoenix got into a jam in the top of the first. UNCG had its first two batters reach on a double and a hit-by-pitch. After a fielder's choice retired the lead runner and gave the Phoenix two outs, the Spartans advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch before loading the bases on another walk. Hobson induced the final out on a foul out to first to escape the frame unharmed.
• UNCG put up a three-spot in the top half of the third. Chartrand connected on a one-out, two-run home run to put the first runs on the board. The Spartans tacked on another run on a two-out double to center by Brooklyn Maxwell, scoring Jessie Shipley who reached earlier on a double.
• The Phoenix looked to rally in its home half of the seventh with the heart of its lineup coming up. Penny battled to a 1-1 count before sending her second homer of the season over the wall in left to put the Phoenix on the scoreboard. The next two batters were retired by Chartrand before Murray added her third double of the season to put the tying run at the plate for Elon. Chartrand recovered and struck out the next batter to stop the rally and secure the 3-1 victory for the Spartans.
ON DECK
The Phoenix is back on its home diamond on Tuesday, March 7, hosting Detroit Mercy at Hunt Softball Park. That game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start time and will air on FloSoftball.
-- ELON --
