ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team split its two games on Saturday, Feb. 8 as the Phoenix fell to Ohio State in its opening game, 4-3, before holding on to a 13-7 victory versus North Carolina Central on the third day of the Elon Softball Classic.
 
Elon improved to 1-3 on the season with the twin bill split.
 
Ohio State 4, Elon 3
The Buckeyes scored the first run of the game in the top of the first. Ohio State had a pair of runners reach with two outs before scoring off a Phoenix error to take a 1-0 lead.
 
Elon answered with a three-run bottom of the first. Chloe Hatzopoulos hit a two-run home run to put the Phoenix on the board. After Gabi Schaal reached on a fielding error, she scored off a Kaitlyn Wells double to right center, giving the maroon and gold a 3-1 advantage.
 
Ohio State came back with a two-run top of the third. The Buckeyes tied the game at three-all after a sac fly and a two out single to right.
 
In the top of the fourth, Ohio State retook the lead. A one-out single up the middle pushed the go-ahead run to move in front 4-3.
 
The Phoenix could not muster enough offense to threaten the Buckeyes for the rest of the game, falling 4-3.
 
Elon had five hits in the game with Kaitlyn Wells going 2-of-3 at the plate. She and Hatzapoulos had the lone RBIs for the Phoenix.
 
Anna Dew (0-1) pitched 4.0 innings in relief, giving up one earned run with a strikeout. Starter Meredith Wells allowed two earned runs in 3.0 innings with a pair of strikeouts.
 
Elon 13, NC Central 7
In the Phoenix's second game of the day, Elon had a five-run inning in the bottom of the second to start its scoring versus the Eagles. Kaitlyn Wells hit a solo home run to lead off the inning followed by an RBI from Peyton Fitzpatrick, driving in Schaal. Three more runs were plated on a Lani Wyrick sac fly and RBI from Greta Hessenthaler and Allee Seering.
 
The Eagles however tied the game in the top of the fourth with a five-run inning of their own. Elon responded with a three-spot in the bottom of the fourth to go back in front, 8-5.
 
Wells added her second homer of the game in the home half of the fifth to help extend the Phoenix's lead to 11-5.
 
Both teams would trade two runs in their respective half of the sixth inning, help setting the final score of 13-7.
 
Elon recorded 13 hits against NC Central with Wells adding her second multi-hit effort of the day, going 3-of-4 with three RBI. Schaal and Seering both had two hits with Schaal driving in a pair of RBI.
 
Lia Miller (1-0) pitched 4.0 frames with four strikeouts and two earned runs allowed. Isley Duggins would get the save as the senior pitched 3.0 innings in relief and allowed two earned runs with four fanned batters.
 
On Deck
The fourth and final day of the Phoenix at the Elon Softball Classic begins at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 9, hosting UNCG. The game will stream on FloCollege (FloSoftball).