The Elon University softball team was determined to carry their momentum from Sunday’s conference victory over College of Charleston into a weekday matchup with North Carolina Central University. Carry they did, earning their first win streak since March 3 with a 6-3 win over NCCU in a game that was originally scheduled to be played on the road in Durham, but field conditions prevented that from happening.
The host Phoenix took an early lead with senior left fielder Tomeka Watson’s eleventh home run of the season, a two-run shot in the first inning that also scored junior center fielder Carleigh Nester.
Sophomore pitcher Eve Clausen shut down the visiting Eagles in the first two frames, but surrendered three unearned runs in the third inning. In that inning, Watson committed the first error of her distinguished career, a dropped fly ball in left field.
Elon gained the lead back in the bottom of the third when senior catcher Camille Hill hit a sacrifice fly, followed by an RBI single by freshman shortstop Emily Cameron.
The Phoenix added two insurance runs in the fourth on a double to left center by Nester that plated sophomore second baseman Lauren Oldham and sophomore designated player Sarah Little.
Kayla Caruso pitched the final four innings for the Phoenix to earn the win, improving her record to 5-5. Caruso scattered three hits and no runs in her relief outing.
Overall, Elon returns to the .500 mark at 11-11 with the win, while the struggling Eagles fall to 2-22.
The Phoenix will be back in action on Saturday morning against the Dartmouth College Big Green in Boca Raton, Fla. as part of the Florida International University Family Weekend Tournament. First pitch is set for 9 a.m.