ELON, N.C. – Senior McKenna McCard of the Elon University softball team tied her season-high of nine strikeouts as the Phoenix won a 7-2 decision over Monmouth in the opening game of its CAA series on Friday, March 21 at Hunt Softball Park.
 
The win improved Elon's overall record to 13-12 and 6-1 in league play, its best CAA start through seven games since joining the conference in 2015. Monmouth fell to 9-20 and 5-2 in the CAA.
 
In the Circle
• McCard pitched a complete-game as the Ashburn, Ga., native allowed two earned runs while matching her season-high of nine strikeouts which she also did against Sacred Heart on March 2.
 
At the Plate
• Elon had six hits in the game with Payton Swart having her second straight strong game at the dish. The junior went 2-of-3 with a home run and four RBI for the Phoenix. Chloe Hatzopoulos added her fifth home run of the season while Allee Seering had a double.
 
The Rundown
• Both teams battled through a pitcher's duel for the first three frames. Elon's McCard and Monmouth's Jayla Cadena both did a great job of holding the offense scoreless between both teams. Cadena held the Phoenix to only one hit through the first three frames as the scoreless stalemate continued to the fourth.
• After McCard worked around a walk in the top-half of the fourth to retire the side, Elon gave her some offensive support in the home half. Hatzopoulos worked a 1-0 count to connect on a solo home run to left to put the Phoenix on the board. Elon added two more runs off its second round tripper of the frame as Swart hit a two-run home run down the left field line, driving in Lani Wyrick who reached on a walk earlier in the frame.
• Monmouth came back with a two-run top of the fifth to slice into the Phoenix's lead. The Hawks scored off a wild pitch and a sac fly, bringing their deficit to one, 3-2, after the top of the fifth.
• Elon expanded its lead in the bottom of the fifth. Allee Seering drew a leadoff walk and stole second to move into scoring position. The Phoenix got a second runner on the bases on another walk before an error off a stolen base attempt to second allowed Seering to score from third. Monmouth recorded the next two outs as the Phoenix had runners on the corners before a Wyrick bunt single scored another run for the hosts. Swart followed with a two-RBI single up the middle to give the Phoenix some insurance runs as Elon took a 7-2 advantage.
• The Phoenix would hold off any rally chances by Monmouth as McCard and Elon secured the win with a clean sixth and seventh frame.
 
On Deck
• The Phoenix is back for game two of the series tomorrow, March 22, with game time scheduled for 2 p.m.