COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Elon University softball team saw its historic and successful season come to a close on Saturday, May 17, as the Phoenix suffered a 12-0 loss to Virginia in the elimination game at the NCAA Columbia Regional at Carolina Stadium at Beckham Field.
 
Elon ends its campaign at 33-21, posting its highest win total in a season since also winning 33 games in 2019. Its .611 winning percentage is the third-highest single-season mark in school history behind 2010 (.644) and 2019 (.620).
 
At the Plate
• Elon recorded three hits in the game, which came off the bats of Chloe Hatzopoulos, Gabi Schaal and Mary Moss Wirt. Greta Hessenthaler reached on a hit-by-pitch as the sophomore reached in 52 out of the 53 games she appeared in this season.
• Kaitlyn Wells ended her senior campaign with a .417 average, the fifth-highest single-season total in school history and the third-best performance at the Division I level.
 
In the Circle
• Elon had four pitchers appear in the game, with starter Taylor Cherry being credited with the loss to fall to 6-5 on the season. Anna Dew pitched the majority of the game, appearing in 3.1 innings with three strikeouts. Meredith Wells and Isley Duggins also pitched for the Phoenix in relief.
 
The Rundown
• A solo, leadoff home run helped the Cavaliers to the early lead in the top of the first. The Phoenix was able to recover to induce the next three outs to minimize the damage.
• Elon loaded the bases in its home half of the first with a chance to respond. The Phoenix saw its first two batters quickly retired, before Kaitlyn Wells drew a walk to keep the inning going. A Hatzopoulos single pushed Wells to second before a Gabi Schaal infield single put ducks on the pond for the maroon and gold. Virginia, however, got out of the jam with a ground out to end the frame.
• Both offenses went quiet until the top of the fifth. The Cavaliers put up a five-spot in the inning, expanding their lead to 6-0. Six more runs would be added to Virginia's lead in the top of the seventh as the Phoenix had no answer for the offensive output.
• The Phoenix would get retired in order in the bottom of the seventh as the game ended with the 12-0 score in favor of the Cavaliers.