After a strong opening to the season, the Elon softball team took a step back on Friday, Feb. 13 dropping two consecutive games. The Phoenix traveled to Athens, Georgia, home of the University of Georgia Bulldogs to compete in the Georgia Softball Classic.
In its first game of the day, Elon held its own against Troy University. After a strong two run first inning from the Phoenix, sophomore Alli Burdette kept the Troy offense in check only giving up one run through the first four innings.
Although opening the game strong, the Phoenix couldn’t manage to maintain the offensive push. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Troy made its presence known. They manufactured four runs in the inning putting them ahead, 5-2.
Elon could not manage to get a run across in the top of the sixth inning to cut down the lead, and another run added by Troy in the bottom of the inning sealed the deal. The Phoenix were defeated 6-2.
In hopes of gaining back the momentum built from the Phoenix opening weekend, it took on the University of Georgia later in the afternoon.
Freshman Kiandra Mitchum stepped on the mound to make her third start of the season. The Bulldogs were undefeated coming into the game at 7-0 and ranked 9/10 in the nation.
Elon led off the game in the top of the first with two runs from a two RBI single from senior infielder Sarah Little that scored freshman outfielder Kara Shutt and sophomore outfielder Alaina Hall.
In the bottom of the inning, Mitchum held the Bulldogs to only one run before putting the Phoenix back at the plate. However, as against Troy, the Elon offense lulled, putting up no runs for the next two innings.
While the Phoenix offense leveled out, the Bulldogs offense surged putting up two runs in the bottom of the second and another six in the bottom of the third.
Determination sprung in the top of the fourth as the Phoenix managed two runs cutting the lead to five. Though Georgia would not let the Phoenix score again. When the Bulldogs stepped to the plate in the bottom of the fifth, another five runs added ended the game per the mercy rule. The Phoenix lost 14-4 and dropped to 3-2 on the season.
Elon will step on the diamond again tomorrow, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. to take on Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and will rematch with the University of Georgia at 12:30 pm.