ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team held an early lead, but fell to a late-inning rally as the Phoenix suffered a 15-8 setback to Miami (Ohio) on the second day at the Elon Softball Classic on Friday, Feb. 9, at Hunt Softball Park.
The loss was the first of the season for Elon (2-1) after opening the tournament with a pair of wins yesterday over Kent State. The Redhawks completed its first day at the tournament going 2-0.
At the Plate
• The Phoenix had seven hits in the game, led by a 2-of-3 performance at the plate by
Kaitlyn Wells.
• Five players registered an RBI in the game with
Allee Seering leading the way with two runs batted in.
In the Circle
• Rookie
Anna Dew was handed the loss for the Phoenix, making her record 0-1 on the season. The Harrisburg, N.C., native allowed four earned runs with a pair of strikeouts in 3.0 innings in relief. Starter
Meredith Wells went 3.2 frames with four earned runs allowed with three strikeouts.
The Rundown
• The Redhawks opened the scoring with a run in the top of the second. Jenna Golembiewski hit a one-out double to center field, scoring Chloe Parks who reached earlier on a walk. That gave Miami (Ohio) a 1-0 lead after the top half of the frame.
• Elon however responded with a seven spot in the home half of the second. The Phoenix loaded the bases before another walk to Regan Hartley tied the game at one-all. A
Payton Swart single up the middle drove another run in while a second bases-loaded walk scratched another run across. Two more runs came across the dish on a pair of Redhawks' errors with the final tally of the inning coming courtesy of a wild pitch as Elon took a 7-1 advantage after two.
• The Redhawks cut into the Phoenix's lead with a three-run top of the fourth, reducing Elon's advantage to 7-4 after scoring on a pair of RBI singles.
• The Redhawks added four more runs in the top of the fifth to take the lead. Miami loaded the bases with two outs before connecting on a grand slam by Kate Kobayashi to move ahead of the Phoenix, 8-7.
• Elon responded to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth. Down to its final out in the inning, pinch hitter
Mauri Murray drove in the tying run on a single to left field, scoring
Mary Moss Wirt who had reached earlier in the inning on an error to tie the game at eight-all.
• The Phoenix loaded the bases again in the bottom of the sixth.
Gabi Schaal reached on a two-out single before Miami put ducks on the pond for Elon with a walk and a hit-by-pitch. The Redhawks escaped the inning by inducing a strikeout to leave the bags full.
• Miami broke the game open in the top of the seventh. The Redhawks put up seven runs in the frame, taking a commanding 15-8 advantage. Elon was able to get a runner on base in the home half of the frame, but could not drive anyone across as the Redhawks held on for the victory.
On Deck
The Phoenix returns to the diamond tomorrow for the third day at the Elon Softball Classic, hosting Evansville on Saturday, Feb. 10. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. and will air on FloSoftball.
-- ELON --
