ELON, N.C. – Producing its best offensive output of the season, the Elon University softball team earned a 13-0 win over North Carolina Central on Tuesday evening, March 19, in a nonconference game at Hunt Softball Park.
 
The Phoenix improved to 9-18 on the season, snapping a four-game losing skid. Elon also improved to all-time ledger to 19-0 versus North Carolina Central, who fell to 5-21 on the year.
 
AT THE PLATE
• Elon's 13 runs were the most in a single game this season for the maroon and gold and the second double-digit scoring contest for the Phoenix.
• Four players had two base hits for the Phoenix in the game, who tallied nine base knocks total. Kaitlyn Wells, Ella Roberson, Allee Seering and Gabi Schaal all had multi-hit efforts for the Phoenix. Schaal led the maroon and gold with four RBI while Seering added three to her stat line along with a home run. Schaal and Wells also had extra-base hits for Elon with a double each.
 
IN THE CIRCLE
• Taylor Cherry was credited with the win, improving to 3-2 on the season. The redshirt sophomore pitched 3.0 scoreless frames and struck out three with one hit allowed. McKenna McCard and Michael Hobson pitched in relief for the Phoenix.
 
THE RUNDOWN
• The Phoenix opened the game with a three spot in the bottom of the first. Megan Grant reached on a hit-by-pitch and then advanced to second on a sac bunt. A fly out to center threatened to leave her stranded, but Roberson drove a single to left to score Grant for the first run of the game. A misplay on the ball by the left fielder allowed Roberson to jaunt around the bases to score the Phoenix's second run in the frame. Seering added a solo homer on the next at bat as Elon held a 3-0 advantage after one.
• The Eagles were able to load the bases in the top of the third. NCCU reached on a single with two outs before putting ducks on the pond on a walk and a Phoenix error. Elon escaped the jam after inducing the final out on a fly out to left.
• Elon added to its lead in the bottom of the third. Grant reached on a fielding error and advanced to second on the play. Grant moved to third on a groundout before scoring on an RBI single through the left side by Wells. Roberson joined Wells on the bases after a single before Seering drove in her second RBI on another single to left, pushing Wells across the plate. A walk to Carley Davis loaded the bases before another free pass to Teagan Baulsir plated another run. A few more miscues by the Eagles allowed three more runs as the Phoenix took a 10-0 lead after three.
• Three more runs crossed the plate for the Phoenix in the bottom of the fourth. Seering added another RBI on a sac fly to left, scoring Wells who reached earlier on a double. Elon kept the inning going with two outs as Mary Moss Wirt and Drew Menscer reached on a walk and a single, respectively. Schaal followed with a double to left field, driving in Wirt and Menscer to give Elon the 13-0 advantage.
• North Carolina Central had a pair reach in the top of the fifth with one out, but the Phoenix was able to turn a double play to pull out with the shutout victory via run rule.
 
ON DECK
The Phoenix continues its homestand this weekend, March 22-24, hosting CAA-newcomer Campbell at Hunt Softball Park. The opening game of the series is slated for 5 p.m. on Friday, March 22, and will air on FloSoftball.