WILMINGTON, N.C. – Fifth-year Megan Grant of the Elon University softball team set a new Division I program record in career walks in the Phoenix's doubleheader today, March 16, at UNCW. The Seahawks swept both games in the twin bill, winning game one, 3-1, before taking game two, 8-3, at Boseman Field.
 
The results dropped the Phoenix to 8-17 overall on the year and to 3-2 in the CAA. UNCW improves to 14-9 and remains the only unbeaten team in the league standings at 5-0.
 
Game One: UNCW 3, Elon 1
Elon opened the game with a score early in the first inning. Allee Seering reached on a one-out triple before scoring off a wild pitch to put the Phoenix ahead 1-0.
 
UNCW responded with a two-run home run in its half of the first. Mary Sobataka connected on a one-out blast to center, putting the Seahawks ahead 2-1.
 
Both teams were able to settle defensively over the next two innings as neither team was able to change to score. Elon did threaten in the top of the fourth as Carley Davis reached on a leadoff double, but the Phoenix was able to capitalize as the Seahawks induced the next three outs to escape the inning.
 
The Seahawks tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Skylar Stockton blasted a solo homer to center, pushing Elon's deficit to two, 3-1. Sobataka followed with a double before the Phoenix had a strikeout on the next at bat. A walk allowed another runner on before a fly out to center induced the second out. A single through the right side nearly put the Seahawks up by three as a runner tried to score from second, but a great throw from Mauri Murray in right to Davis behind the plate allowed Davis to tag out the runner at home to close the inning.
 
Elon had an opportunity to tie the game in the top of the seventh. Grant reached on a leadoff walk – the 101^st in her career – to give the Phoenix the tying run at the plate. The next two batters were retired, but a single to center field by Kaitlyn Wells kept the game alive with Grant moving to third. UNCW however got the final out on a throw out at second as Wells tried to advance on a passed ball.
 
The Phoenix accounted for four hits in the game. Seering added her third triple of the season while Davis added her second double of the year.
 
McKenna McCard fell to 3-4 on the season as the junior pitched a complete game and allowed seven hits and three runs with three strikeouts.
 
Game Two: UNCW 8, Elon 3
Like in the opening game, the Phoenix was the first team to strike first on the scoreboard. Elon loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the second before scoring on a free pass to Mary Moss Wirt to give Elon a 1-0 advantage.
 
The Seahawks came back with a big scoring second inning to take the lead. UNCW tied the game on an RBI double down the left field line before going ahead 3-1 on a two-RBI single to right. A bunt single and a Phoenix error led to two more runs crossing the plate as Elon faced a 5-1 deficit after two.
 
UNCW added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth. A Phoenix error and a wild pitch enabled the Seahawks to tally their sixth and seventh runs of the game, pushing their lead to 7-1.
 
After another run was added for the Seahawks in the sixth, the Phoenix made a rally in the top of the seventh. The Phoenix loaded the bases with one out before Seering drove in a pair on a single through the left side to cut into its deficit, 8-3. The Phoenix however could not keep the run going as UNCW induced the final two outs to secure the doubleheader sweep and the series win.
 
The Phoenix had seven hits in the game with Seering and Reagan Hartley leading the way with a pair of hits each. Seering drove in two RBI while Wirt added another RBI in the contest.
 
Isley Duggins received the loss in game two to fall to 1-3. The junior pitched 4.2 innings and allowed three earned runs in game two.
 
On Deck
Both teams return to the diamond tomorrow, March 17, for the series finale. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.