ELON, N.C. -- The Elon University softball team began the 2024 season with a twin bill sweep versus Kent State on the opening day at the Elon Softball Classic on Thursday, Feb. 8. The Phoenix took the first contest, 9-6, before outlasting the Golden Flashes 8-7 in the nightcap at Hunt Softball Park.
Game 1: Elon 9, Kent State 6
Elon started off the 2024 season with a bang.
McKenna McCard started in the circle for the Phoenix and generated a spark. After the Phoenix defense got some rest thanks to McCard's three consecutive strikeouts,
Megan Grant got the offense going with a double in her first at-bat.
Allee Seering's walk put two runners on for All-CAA preseason watchlist member
Kaitlyn Wells. Wells lived up to the recognition with a two RBI triple to start off her 2024 campaign and give Elon a 3-0 lead after the first.
The Phoenix escaped a jam in the top of the second thanks to
Mauri Murray's heads up play to throw the runner out at home.
Elon kept up the momentum and looked to cushion its lead. After Seering caused some chaos with a steal, just two batters later, the bases were juiced.
Greta Hessenthaler recorded her first-career hit for the maroon and gold with a two RBI single up the middle and forced the Golden Flashes to make a pitching change. A throwing error and a walk brought in two more runs before Grant hit her second triple in as many at bats to make it 8-0 going into the fourth inning.
Kent State looked to break the shutout and led off the top of the fourth with a solo home run by Emily Lippe. With two baserunners on, the Golden Flashes tacked on two more runs of the matchup via a wild pitch and fielding error. An RBI single by Bri Despines ended McCard's day as she finished with two earned runs and six strikeouts.
Kyra Leonard came in for relief to close out the inning as Kent State chipped away at Elon's lead and made it a 8-5 ballgame.
Murray looked to join the party on offense and slammed her second career home run dead center in the bottom of the fifth. The Phoenix left the bases loaded but held a 9-5 lead going into the sixth.
The Golden Flashes got one run back in the top of the seventh with a sacrifice fly but the Phoenix's hot start was too much to overcome. Leonard (1-0) earned the win in relief after pitching 3.1 innings while allowing five hits and just one earned run.
Game 2: Elon 8, Kent State 7
Kent State flipped the script on the Phoenix to start the second game of the twin bill. The Golden Flashes immediately attacked with two singles and a ground out which brought Lippe back up to bat with runners in scoring position. On a 1-2 count, she hit a three RBI homer to crack open the scoring.
Seering looked to get the Phoenix going with a two-out triple, but was left stranded to end the first.
To start off the third, Despines made her way around the bases after a leadoff single before finally making it home on a Kenzie Bromley RBI single to give Kent State a 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the third.
Drew Menscer brought her veteran knowledge to the plate for her second at-bat. After fouling out in her first appearance, Menscer had a bunt single then stole second to get things going for the Phoenix. Grant walked and
Carley Davis got hit by the pitch and suddenly, Elon had the bases loaded for Wells. Wells fouled off the first pitch before launching the ball to right center for a three-RBI triple to cut the Golden Flashes' lead to one after three innings of play.
Isley Duggins entered the game in the top of the fourth to relieve starter
Taylor Cherry, who finished the night after 3.0 innings of work and four earned runs. Duggins and the Elon defense made quick work of the Kent State offense to keep up the positive momentum. Another three up three down in the top of the fifth put the Phoenix back at the plate hungry for more runs.
Menscer led off with a double down the right field line and Grant followed to the bases after being hit by the pitch. Both runners advanced on a passed ball as Seering stood at the dish. Facing a full count, Seering got in on the action with a three-run homer as Elon took the lead. Davis singled as
Ella Roberson came in to pinch run. It did not take long to bring Roberson home as Wells followed suit of her previous at bat with her second triple of the game for her fourth RBI. Hessenthaler then recorded a sacrifice fly to give the Phoenix an 8-4 lead.
The Golden Flashes clawed their way back into the game. One by one, batters loaded up the bases with two outs. Back-to-back singles brought Kent State within one run of tying things up as Elon elected to intentionally walk Lippe and keep the bases loaded. This decision proved to be key as Duggins threw a clutch pitch, forcing Brynn Libler to strikeout swinging and leave the three runners stranded.
Lia Miller entered in the top of the seventh in her collegiate debut. Delaney Robeson reached on an error and moved to second via a single with just one out. Miller was able to force a pop up and ground out for the final two outs to give the Phoenix a sweep over the Golden Flashes.
Duggins (1-0) received the win in the circle after 3.0 innings and gave up three runs on three hits. The junior had three strikeouts before Miller came in and recorded the save.
ON DECK
The Phoenix is back for day two of the Elon Softball Classic tomorrow, Feb. 9, facing Miami (Ohio) in a single game. That contest is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. start and will stream on FloSoftball.
