WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team saw its rally fall short versus UNCW as the Phoenix was handed an 8-3 verdict against the Seahawks on Sunday, March 17, in the CAA series finale at Boseman Field.
 
The Phoenix ledger falls to 8-18 overall and 3-3 in the CAA. UNCW improves to 15-9 on the season with a 6-0 mark in league play.
 
AT THE PLATE
• The Phoenix had seven hits in the game, all by seven different players. Gabi Schaal and Teagan Baulsir drove in the lone RBI for Elon on sacrifice flies in the sixth inning. The Phoenix also left seven runners on base.
 
IN THE CIRCLE
• Meredith Wells was given the loss to fall to 1-5 on the year. Wells pitched 3.2 innings and allowed eight hits and five runs with four of those being earned.  
 
THE RUNDOWN
• UNCW scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first. Tayler Vitola opened with a leadoff single and stole second to move into scoring position. A sac bunt moved her to third before scoring on an RBI single to put the Seahawks ahead 1-0.
• The Seahawks added three more runs in their home half of the third. Vitola and Skylar Stockton both reached for UNCW before scoring on a double by Mary Sobataka. Another run crossed the dish on a fielder's choice to put the Phoenix down 4-0.
• Another run was added for UNCW in the bottom of the fourth. A Stockton RBI single drove in Cassidy Relay, who reached earlier in the frame on a single. The run gave the Seahawks a 5-0 cushion going to the fifth.
• Elon was able to get runners on the bases in the top of the fifth. Down two outs and a runner on first, the Phoenix loaded the bases after a single and a walk, but could not drive anyone in as a fly out to center helped UNCW out of the jam.
• The Phoenix offense responded with a three-spot in the top of the sixth. Elon had Grant and Kaitlyn Wells reach on singles to lead off the inning before both advanced to scoring position on a bunt single by Reagan Hartley. An errant throw back to third on the play allowed Grant to score from third to plate the first run of the game for Elon. Back-to-back sac flies on the next two at bats pushed the second and third runs of the frame for Elon, as its deficit was trimmed to two, 5-3, going to the bottom of the sixth.
• UNCW came back and responded with three runs of its own with two outs. A two-RBI double to center and a single to left center pushed the Seahawks' lead to 8-3 going into the final frame.
• The Phoenix was retired in order in the top of the seventh as UNCW completed the series sweep over Elon.
 
ON DECK
The Phoenix will have a quick turnaround when it hosts North Carolina Central on Tuesday, March 19 at 5 p.m. at Hunt Softball Park. The game will be streamed on FloSoftball.