The Elon University softball team went 1-4 at the Citrus Classic Tournament in Orlando, Florida, over the weekend. But Elon stayed competititve, losing three games by two runs or less, including a two-run loss to No. 1 University of Florida.
The lone win for the Phoenix was in its first game, a 4-3 win over Stephen F. Austin University. Junior catcher Emily Roper and junior infielder Carey Million each went 2-3 to lead the offense, as Roper scored two runs and Million drove one in.
In the second game on Friday, against No. 13 University of Missouri at Columbia, the Tigers capitalized on the Phoenix’s failing defense and scored six runs in the fourth inning between four hits, two walks, two errors and a wild pitch to win 9-2.
Saturday, The University of Nebraska Omaha shut out Elon in a pitching duel, 2-0. Senior pitcher Kayla Caruso pitched an impressive full game, only allowing six hits and two walks while striking out six. But Maverick freshman pitcher Laura Roecker threw a shutout, striking out four and giving up five hits and three walks.
Elon then faced top-ranked Florida and kept close to the Gators. Junior outfielder Alaina Hall went 3-3 and scored Elon’s only run. A tight defense by Elon kept them in the game, but Elon fell to Florida, 3-1.
Elon finished the weekend Sunday morning against Jacksonville State University. The Gamecocks jumped on Elon’s starting pitcher, freshman Elise Walton, with four hits and four earned runs after only one and one-third innings pitched. Elon cut the deficit to one in the seventh, when freshman designated player Ashtyn Foddrell hit a two-run double with one out, but Elon’s last two batters went down quietly, ending the weekend with Elon’s fourth straight loss.
Elon returns home for the first of two softball tournaments this weekend, starting with the Elon Phoenix Tournament Saturday. Elon will play North Carolina A&T State University once, and Farleigh Dickinson University three times over the weekend,