ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team began its Colonial Athletic Association season with a 6-2 victory over Stony Brook on Friday evening, March 10, at Hunt Softball Park.
 
The Phoenix won its second straight game to improve to 7-14 overall and 1-0 in CAA play. The Seawolves fall to 6-8 and 0-1 to begin their first season in the league.
 
AT THE PLATE
• Elon scored six runs on a seven-hit performance against Stony Brook. Bella Devesa led the way at the plate for the Phoenix by going 2-of-3 with an RBI and a triple. Carley Davis drove in three runs on a double while Claudia Penny added her third home run of the season with two RBI.
• Devesa posted her fifth multi-hit game of the season after having only four all of 2022. Her 19 hits this season matches her total from all of last year with the Pembroke Pines, Fla., native reaching that total in only 62 at bats so far in 2023.
 
IN THE CIRCLE
• In the circle, Meredith Wells was credited with the win, going to 2-3 on the season. The Daleville, Va., native pitched 3.2 innings in relief, allowing one hit with a pair of strikeouts.
• Starter McKenna McCard tossed 3.0 innings and gave up two hits and one run. She also struck out four batters.
 
THE RUNDOWN
• Elon opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. Drew Menscer reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second with two outs on a passed ball as Penny stepped into the batter's box. Penny worked a 2-1 count before sending the ball over the left field wall for her third homer of the season to put the Phoenix ahead 2-0.
• After a scoreless second inning, Stony Brook responded to cut into the Phoenix's advantage in the top of the third. Shauna Nuss led off with a single and advanced to third on a sac bunt and a bunt single. Nuss plated the Seawolves' first run as she stole home to bring Stony Brook within one, 2-1, with the tying run reaching scoring position. The Phoenix retired the next two batters to escape the inning.
• The Phoenix answered with a four-spot in the home half of the third with more clutch two-out hitting. Megan Grant and Menscer reached with one out on a walk and a bunt single, respectively, before a single by Allee Seering loaded the bases. After Stony Brook induced the second out on a fly out, Davis cleared the bases on a double to right center. Devesa followed with a triple to center field to bring around Davis and give the Phoenix a 6-1 cushion.
• Stony Brook did not go away quietly, however, as the Seawolves threaten by loading the bases in the top of the fourth. After starting the inning with a fly out, Stony Brook had its next three batters reach on a walk and a pair of singles to load the bases. Another single to shallow left plated the second run of the game for the Seawolves. With the tying run at the plate and the top of the lineup due up for Stony Brook, Wells stepped into the circle for Elon and was able to finagle her way out of the jam as the Seawolves scratched across the one run.
• Neither team generated much offense for the remainder of the contest with both teams combining for two hits in the last three innings as Elon came away with the 6-2 win.
 
ON DECK
The Phoenix closes out the series tomorrow, March 11, with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Both games will stream on FloSoftball via a paid subscription.