ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team split its CAA doubleheader versus Campbell on Sunday afternoon, March 24, at Hunt Softball Park, to close out its series. The Camels took the opening game, 7-5, before the Phoenix regrouped with a 3-2 win in the nightcap.
 
The split pushed the Phoenix ledger to 10-20 on the season while going to 4-5 in league play. Campbell won the series after its opening win on Friday and the game one victory today, going to 14-15-1 on the year while moving its CAA record to 6-3.
 
Game One: Campbell 7, Elon 5
The Camels opened the game with a 3-0 lead after the top of the first. The first two batters reached on a single and a walk before Campbell connected on a three-run homer to put the Phoenix in an early deficit.
 
Elon responded with a run in the bottom of the second. Ella Roberson reached on a walk and advanced to third on a single by Carley Davis. Roberson eventually crossed the dish on a two-out single through the right side by Greta Hessenthaler, putting Elon on the board down 3-1. A walk to Megan Grant loaded the bases for the Phoenix, but Campbell induced the final out on a strikeout.
 
The Phoenix took the lead in the bottom of the third. Allee Seering reached on a one-out, hit-by-pitch before Elon loaded the bases on a pair of singles by Roberson and Mauri Murray with Davis coming to the plate. The Bridgewater, Va., native won an eight-pitch at bat as she singled up the middle, driving in a pair to tie the game at three-all. With runners at the corners, Elon took the lead on an RBI by Gabi Schaal on a groundout to second, putting the Phoenix ahead 4-3.
 
Some great fielding in the top of the fourth helped the Phoenix get out of a jam. Campbell had a runner reach on an error with one out, but a diving effort by Grant at second base helped induce the second out of the frame. The Camels however stole second and advanced to third with a passed ball. Campbell had another runner reach on a walk and stole second to give the Camels runners in scoring position, but a diving catch in left by Reagan Hartley ended the threat.
 
Campbell tied the game in the top of the fifth. The Camels had a runner reach on a fielder's choice for the second out of the inning, but a stolen base put them in scoring position. A double into right center plated the tying run as the contest was knotted at 4-4.
 
A solo home run by Roberson put the Phoenix back in front. The rookie worked a 2-2 count before connecting on her first round-tripper of the year to left as Elon retook the lead, 5-4.
 
Elon got into some trouble in the top of the seventh as Campbell loaded the bases with no outs. The Camels tied the game again with a bases-loaded walk before a one-out single to right pushed two more runs across for Campbell, who took a 7-5 advantage into the bottom of the seventh.
 
The Phoenix would get a runner on in the bottom of the seventh with one out, but the Camels would induce a double play to close out the game and secure the 7-5 win.
 
Elon had 10 hits at the plate with Davis going 3-of-4 to lead the way for the maroon and gold. She also drove a pair of RBI. Roberson scored three runs in the game while going 2-of-3 at the dish.
 
Isley Duggins was handed the loss, falling to 1-4 on the season. The junior allowed seven runs off six hits with a strikeout.
 
Game Two: Campbell, Elon
The Camels took the early lead in game two. Campbell led off with a walk with the runner stealing second and third before adding its second batter on base via a single. Another steal at second occupied the Phoenix defense long enough for the Camels to score from third for the first run of the game before adding their second run on an RBI single.
 
Elon loaded the bases in the bottom of the first and had a chance to respond in its half of the frame. A Davis hit-by-pitch put ducks on the pond for the maroon and gold with two outs, but a fly out to second would leave them full.
 
The Phoenix finally tied the game up in the bottom of the fourth. Schaal led off with a solo home run down the left field line to break up Campbell's shutout and no-hitter against the Phoenix. Elon however was in danger of leaving another runner stranded after the Camels induced the second out with a runner on first. The inning stayed alive as Grant drew a walk before Hartley singled up the middle, driving in Mary Moss Wirt for the tying run to knock the game at 2-2.
 
Elon took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth. Hessenthaler doubled to start the inning to give the Phoenix a runner in immediate scoring position. After Payton Swart came in the pinch run for Hessenthaler, she advanced to third on a ground out. A popup to the catcher however left the Phoenix with its final out as Grant returned to the batter's box. The Vinton, Va., native came in clutch with an RBI double over the center fielder, scoring Swart to give the Phoenix the 3-2 advantage.
 
McKenna McCard worked around a walk to close out the top of the seventh as the Phoenix took the 3-2 win in the series finale.
 
The Phoenix had seven hits in game two with Hessenthaler leading the way with her 2-of-3 performance at the plate. She also legged out a double as did Grant while Schaal added her fourth homer of the season.
 
McCard picked up the win in relief, improving to 4-4 on the season. The junior pitched 3.0 scoreless innings in relief and allowed one hit. Taylor Cherry went 4.0 innings as the starter with the redshirt sophomore giving up two earned runs with three strikeouts.
 
On Deck
Elon heads to Greensville, N.C., on Tuesday, March 26, for a matchup at East Carolina. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.