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(04/30/15 3:00pm)
In the 47 contests the Elon University softball team has played in this season, one player has flown relatively under the radar. Though she is absent accolades from the Colonial Athletic Association so far, she currently ranks fourth in team batting average for the Phoenix.
Sophomore Carey Million has earned her role as a true utility player. She’s spent time as catcher, infielder and outfielder while energizing her team.
“Good things happen when you put your team first and play for a bigger cause,” Million said. “It takes the whole team to win…there’s no better feeling than being successful when your team has success.”
The Roebling, New Jersey, native received several high school honors while attending the Hun School of Princeton. She earned spots on the All-Prep first team, All-Mid Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) and the “Star Ledger” teams her sophomore, junior and senior years. She was named the New Prep Player of the Year in 2013 and was selected as the Princeton Packet Player of the Year her senior year in 2014.
She made a connection with Elon and head coach Kathy Bocock while deciding on a university to attend.
“I had several great experiences at Elon softball camps in the past,” Million said. “Coach gave off this enthusiasm and love for the game. I felt like I could learn a lot from Coach Bo. I felt at home with the team and chose Elon for its academic reputation as well as its beautiful campus.”
In her rookie season for the Phoenix, Million made an immediate impact. She played in all 52 games and started 48, mostly behind the plate. Although she only posted a batting average of .189, she recorded six doubles and four home runs in her 23 hits. Complementing her offensive performance were the 14 RBI and 16 runs scored for the season.
The impact from her rookie season earned Million a spot on the starting lineup the opening day of her sophomore season — a position she has yet to lose.
Her statistics have improved between her freshman and sophomore years, allowing her to retain her starting position.
She currently has eight doubles, 37 hits and 18 RBI.
According to freshman teammate Kiandra Mitchum, the softball team is confident in its abilities and doesn’t concern itself with outside criticism.
“Every game matters, and that is motivation to keep us working hard,” Mitchum said. “If we all play like we know we can and don’t worry about what other people think, we can do great things.”
With a little more than a week until the CAA Championships begin, Elon is in a tight race to the postseason with one series remaining against the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Though the Phoenix has a tough journey ahead, players like Million attempt to keep the team’s morale as high as possible.
“I expect myself and my teammates to continue to play with the intensity and pride that we have done this entire season,” Million said. “We are going to finish strong and compete in the CAA tournament.”
(04/23/15 5:06am)
Senior Chelsea White received her first loss of the season when the Elon University softball team traveled to face the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Wednesday. Coming off of a 6-3 loss to Longwood University Tuesday, the Phoenix lost 12-4 at UNC.
(04/21/15 6:00pm)
After a trip to Hempstead, New York, to face Hofstra University in a Colonial Athletic Association matchup, the Elon University softball team has paved part of the tough path to the playoffs for themselves.
As the Phoenix stepped onto the diamond for a twin bill April 18, its offense did not. Elon only managed six hits and one run in the two games. While the Elon offense lulled, Hofstra jumped out to early leads on the day.
In the first game, freshman Kiandra Mitchum started on the mound for Elon. In her two and a third innings appearance, the freshman conceited 4 earned runs on five hits. Mitchum received the loss, making her record for the season at 8-7. Senior Caitlin O’Shea relieved Mitchum to finished the remaining innings. O’Shea, who allowed one hit, fared well against the Hofstra bats. She struck out three batters and allowed no more runs to cross the plate.
On the other side of the ball, the Phoenix struggled to find a rhythm. Through the first five innings, Elon manufactured no runs. It wasn’t until the top of the sixth inning when freshman infielder and leadoff batter Hannah Olson drove a ball over the fence in left field to put the Phoenix on the scoreboard. But the home run would be the only one on the game. The Phoenix dropped game one 4-1.
Game two looked similar to the first. Hofstra, taking the offensive momentum in the first inning, didn’t give an inch on defense. Elon produced three hits, but left every runner on base without putting up a run in the game.
O’Shea began the game in the circle for the Phoenix, but struggled with her command. Hofstra knocked O’Shea out of the game with only two thirds of an inning pitched after they drove across a pair of runs. Junior Kayla Caruso relieved O’Shea, pitching well in her five and a third innings. On the mound, Caruso allowed five hits and another pair of runs.
Elon returned to Bill Edwards Softball Stadium Sunday, April 19 prepared to take one in the series from the Pride. Unlike the two previous, the third game was a tight matchup from the get-go.
Olson and sophomore Alaina Hall found gaps in the defense for hits to leadoff the game. They were sent around to score, pushing Elon up 2-0 going into the bottom of the inning. Hofstra responded by cutting the lead to one on a sacrifice fly.
The next four innings were quiet, neither team scoring a run. In the bottom of the sixth, Hofstra slapped a home run over the fence, tying up the game at two. Motivated to avoid a sweep, the Phoenix rallied in the top of the seventh driving across three runs on hits from freshman Kara Shutt and sophomores Emily Roper and Carey Million. Elon’s defense remained disciplined in the bottom of the inning not allowing the Pride to score. The Phoenix took the win 5-2.
Senior Chelsea White started on the bump for Elon, throwing two innings and allowing a run and two walks. Caruso relieved the senior and went for four innings, giving up one run on five hits and granting four walks. She walked one batter in the seventh before Mitchum came in to close it out. Mitchum retired Hofstra on three pitches, facing only two batters. Caruso received the win, her ninth of the season, and Mitchum the save, her second.
With the Hofstra series in the past, Elon only has six games—two series—remaining in the CAA: James Madison University (April 25-26) currently leading the CAA (37-6, 14-0), and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (May 1-2), currently last in the CAA (17-22, 4-11).
Elon currently sits in third place, closely trailed by three teams. Towson University (25-18, 6-9) sits two games behind Elon and both the University of Delaware (23-18, 5-9) and Drexel University (17-17, 5-9) who trail by three games.
While tensions are building, the Phoenix remains determined and confident in its remaining nine games. Senior infielder Aly Quintana reflected on the mentality of the team.
“The goal for the rest of the season is to keep growing as a team and becoming stronger,” Quintana said, “We focus on one game at a time with the ultimate goal of taking the championship title.”
Before the team travels to Harrisonburg, Virginia to James Madison University, Elon has two non-conference matchups against Longwood University April 21 and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill April 22.
(04/17/15 5:45pm)
With less than a month until the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament begins May 6 and a tough show of upcoming conference opponents, every game becomes more important for the Elon University softball team. But the team is ready for the difficult journey.
(04/13/15 6:50am)
Having improved its record to 25-13 (7-5 Colonial Athletic Association) after an important series win against the University of Delaware Blue Hens, the Elon University softball team has high hopes for the remainder of the season.
(04/02/15 2:03pm)
Athletes spend countless hours practicing and training outside of class, which gives them the right to certain benefits. But many athletes believe they deserve the right to be paid by the institution they represent, and this is where controversy presents itself.
(04/02/15 3:05am)
wo hits were all Elon could manage when it traveled to Virginia Tech University on Wednesday. The Phoenix snapped a three-game winning streak in the 6-2 loss.
(03/21/15 2:00pm)
It is rare to find athletes who come to Elon University and reach record-setting heights. Even more rare are athletes that have this talent and come from the same family.
Senior pitcher Caitlin O’Shea tied a softball mark for second place all-time in career saves in a game against Lafayette College March 7. By tying this mark, Caitlin cemented her name next to older sister Erin O’Shea (2009-12) in the program record books. The sisters sit tied at five career saves each.
Not only are the two sisters, but they also spent the 2012 season as teammates at Elon. During the season, the softball team reached the fourth game of the Southern Conference Softball Championship but lost to the College of Charleston.
Erin pitched in the game, ending her career on a loss, but also receiving a few accolades. She left Elon in second place all-time in strikeouts (464), the all-time leader in game appearances (128), and with a SoCon title (2010) under her belt. Caitlin reflected on Erin’s influence on her as a sister and teammate.
“I actually started pitching because Erin was a pitcher, and I wanted to be just like her,” Caitlin said. “When I had the opportunity to come to Elon, I couldn’t pass it up. Playing a collegiate season with her is something I’ll always cherish.”
Erin’s influence made an immediate impact on Caitlin when she arrived to Elon. In her freshman season, Caitlin made 16 appearances — five starts — in which she pitched 38.1 innings and 12 strikeouts with a 4.02 earned run average for the season. In addition, Caitlin recorded her first save with Erin as her teammate.
Caitlin’s older brother Corey was an offensive lineman for the Elon football team (2006-09). Corey was a member of the same Elon football team that was granted the school’s first Football Championship Subdivision playoff berth in 2009 before losing to the University of Richmond.
Since Erin graduated, Caitlin has kept the O’Shea legacy going at Elon. In her four years, Caitlin has pitched a total of 213 innings, recording 56 strikeouts and a 3.38 ERA in her 10 career wins. Just this season, Caitlin has pitched 14.1 innings, only allowing five earned runs contributing to her 2.44 ERA. With two saves this season, O’Shea sits alongside senior Chelsea White, tied for second in the Colonial Athletic Association.
Though their careers posted different statistics, head coach Kathy Bocock described the similarities between the two.
“Caitlin and Erin, although totally different people, have a similar demeanor on the mound,” Bocock said, “They both are composed and handle pressure situations very well.”
In her career at Elon, Caitlin has received other awards, such as SoCon Pitcher of the Week (2014),and was named to the Academic All-SoCon team (2014).
Although inter-family competition isn’t what drove Caitlin to her record-worthy career at Elon, she still has 24 games remaining to become the all-time program leader in saves this season. Caitlin would only need two saves to put her name at the top. Though she is close, records are not Caitlin’s priority in the time she has left.
“My goal for the rest of the season is to play a major role in contributing to a CAA championship,” Caitlin said, “I also hope to leave Elon having upheld the character and work ethic as my brother and sister before me.”
(03/20/15 12:46am)
While many freshmen take months or years to earn their spot in a Division I lineup, Kiandra Mitchum, a freshman pitcher for the Elon University softball team, started opening day for the Phoenix.
(03/19/15 10:34pm)
A six-run sixth inning barrage from the Phoenix offense propelled Elon University's softball squad to a 10-4 home win over the East Carolina University Pirates on Wednesday. Elon now rides a five-game winning streak as it heads into Colonial Athletic Association play this weekend.
(03/19/15 1:52am)
The Elon University softball team's bats were on fire in its doubleheader on Tuesday against Rider University. In the two games, the Phoenix won 4-2 and 10-1.
(03/16/15 5:50am)
Despite an early deficit, the Phoenix offense rallied for the victory Sunday, March 15 in its game against the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Elon produced seven hits that led to six runs, while only allowing two runs to the Spartans. Elon defeated UNCG, 6-2.
(03/14/15 8:17pm)
After being no-hit the previous contest, the Elon bats surged against North Carolina Central University. On Friday, March 13 the Phoenix offense rallied behind sophomore outfielder Alaina Hall to defeat the Eagles, 6-1.
(03/13/15 6:35pm)
After rain postponed the game to Thursday, March 12, the Elon University softball team traveled to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. After winning two consecutive games, the Phoenix dropped the contest in a no-hit shutout by Charlotte.
(03/12/15 5:05pm)
After the Elon University softball team returned from the Citrus Classic in Orlando, Florida, it went nine days without playing a game because of inclement weather.
(03/07/15 2:14am)
The Elon University softball team opened the Elon Softball Tournament Friday, March 6 against Lafayette University. Fighting cold weather, the Phoenix completed the shut out in five innings securing a win in the team's first game.
(03/05/15 4:26am)
The Elon University softball team won its sixth consecutive game Wednesday, March 4 against North Carolina State University at Hunt Park.
(03/05/15 3:45am)
Only one season after his graduation from Elon University, former single-season 3-point field goal record holder Jack Isenbarger was outdone by former teammate, junior guard Tanner Samson.
(03/05/15 3:43am)
In a matchup originally set for February 18, but due to inclement weather was postponed, Elon hosted Campbell University on Tuesday, March 3. The change in when the game was played appeared to be no challenge as the Phoenix shut out the Fighting Camels’ 2-0.
(02/25/15 3:57pm)
It is often said that winning comes in the offseason for many sports teams. It is the time that players build bonds with teammates and coaches and the previous seasons’ glories and failures are washed away and the team gets a clean slate.