Coming off of a seven game losing streak where at least six runs were surrendered each game, the Elon University softball team knew improved pitching was the key to success. On Saturday, that success finally came Elon’s way. Freshman Kayla Caruso and sophomore Chelsea White gave up only three runs combined in a doubleheader against Western Carolina University. Caruso’s game one gem propelled the Phoenix to a 7-1 win while White was outdueled in game two, a 2-1 loss.

“We did some different things with the pitching staff this week,” Elon head coach Kathy Bocock said. “A little bit of working out, but also getting them to see visual, just very focused on what we’re trying to get them to do.”

Game One

Caruso got off to a fast start, retiring the first nine batters she faced.

“I think one of my weaknesses is starting slower,” Caruso said. “I thought about getting ahead and keeping the lead.”

That lead was provided to Caruso courtesy of two runs in the first inning. Senior left fielder Tomeka Watson, the Southern Conference leader in batting average, was moved to the leadoff spot in the Phoenix order. Bocock said she made the switch to allow Watson to see more pitches and create opportunities to get on base, which Watson did in the first inning. She laced a single, stole second, and went to third on a sacrifice bunt. A bunt single by junior center fielder Carleigh Nester a walk by sophomore designated player Grace Eng loaded the bases.

Senior shortstop Ali Ford, no stranger to clutch performances from her time on the basketball court, promptly smacked a two-RBI single to right field.

Western Carolina used two base hits to score in the fourth inning, though Elon would score two more in the bottom of the frame. Nester hit a two-RBI double to left field, the first of her four RBIs in the game.

After the game, Nester admitted that the strong pitching had an impact on offense.

“Coming together and working for our pitchers,” she said when asked what motivated the outburst.

“She’s very focused right now,” Bocock said about Nester’s performance. “She’s just trying to do the job to help this team out. Carleigh will drive runs for you, she’s a gamer.”

Nester would score in the fourth off of a single from freshman first baseman Emily Cameron, and the center fielder would add two more RBI in the seventh on a bizarre sacrifice bunt play.

Caruso did not allow a hit after the fourth and finished the day with three strikeouts and no walks. She pointed out that her curveball and changeup location was a key all game long.

“One of (Western Carolina’s) weaknesses is they can’t hit anything that’s low or outside,” Caruso said. “We practiced earlier this week on hitting spots on curve and changeup.”

Caruso’s win moved her to 7-10 on the season.

Watson paced Elon with three hits. She was followed by Nester with two, along with sophomore right fielder Caitlin O’Shea, who raised her average 27 points from .148 to .175 with a two-hit game.

Game Two

White’s only real trouble in game two was the first inning. Eight Western Carolina Catamounts hit in the first, and two hits, two walks and an error allowed two runs to score.

Elon answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first. Watson led off with a walk, followed by a mishandled sacrifice bunt that allowed Watson to score all the way from first.

That unearned run was all that Elon would muster off of Western Carolina freshman Mallory Broome in game two. Sophomore third baseman Aly Quintana had the only hit of the game for Elon, a single in the third inning.

“People think (Broome is) not that good,” Bocock said. “But it’s a different pitch and people don’t make adjustments very well to it.”

The Phoenix hung around all game, however, thanks to White’s solid outing, a performance that Nester described as “awesome."

White allowed six hits, walked two, and struck out seven in the complete game effort.

“If we don’t let those runs score early, it gives us a chance,” Bocock said.

White’s loss dropped her record to 2-12 on the season. Overall, Elon’s record sits at 13-26, 3-11 in Southern Conference play. Western Carolina is now 16-29, 6-11 in the SoCon. The two teams will play one more game on Sunday April 14 at 1:00 p.m. at Hunt Softball Park.