Returning to the field for the first time since a car accident involving three players, the Elon University softball team took one game and dropped a pair against Samford University.

Game One

The first game of Saturday’s doubleheader saw the host Samford Bulldogs earn a 10-0 run rule-shortened, no-hitter victory.

Freshman pitcher Kayla Caruso started for Elon and shut out the Bulldogs in the first inning. Samford opened its scoring in the second on a RBI single from sophomore first baseman Rachel Bickert.

The Bulldogs tacked on three runs in the third, highlighted by a two-run home run by senior center fielder Kayla Shaffer.

Six more runs, including two more home runs, in the fourth chased Caruso from the contest.

All the while, Samford sophomore pitcher Shelby Scott kept the Phoenix from earning a single hit in the five-inning victory.

Game Two

Looking to build upon her 2-1 loss a week earlier, sophomore Chelsea White took to the pitching circle for Elon. This time out, White was victorious, blanking the Bulldogs for a 2-0 win.

White worked around six Bulldog hits in her shutout effort, including two in the first inning.

Elon’s offensive spark was provided by junior center fielder Carleigh Nester, who hit a two-run home run in the third inning. Senior left fielder Tomeka Watson had singled to lead off the frame and came around to score on the blast.

Nester’s two hits led Elon, which also received hits from Watson, senior catcher Camille Hill, sophomore third baseman Grace Eng, sophomore first baseman Sarah Little, junior second baseman Lauren Oldham and sophomore designated player Amanda Allen.

Game Three

For the second day in a row, Scott was brilliant against the Phoenix, allowing only one hit in a 3-0 Samford victory.

White started in the circle for Elon and gave up all three runs in the fourth inning on a fielder’s choice, a sacrifice fly and an RBI single. Caruso worked the contest’s final 2.2 innings and surrendered only one hit.

Elon’s lone hit came from Oldham in the fourth inning, the first hit of the game for either team.

White’s personal record fell to 3-13 with the loss while Elon dropped to 15-28, 5-13 in Southern Conference play. Samford finishes the weekend at 13-31, 5-13 in the SoCon.

Elon will travel to Durham for a contest with North Carolina Central University on Tuesday April 23. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m.