A new stadium opened. Records fell. Upsets occurred. Legends were made and awards were won.
The 2013 Elon University softball season had a bit of everything as second-year head coach Kathy Bocock led the team to a 21-31 record, 8-15 in Southern Conference play. Despite the memorable moments, Bocock said the season left something to be desired.
“I’m not upset with the girls, I’m upset with our outcome for this year,” Bocock said. “I have goals for stuff, and I really would like to see us do better all around.”
The season began with hype provided by Elon’s first season in its new home of Hunt Softball Park. The park opened its doors Feb. 20 and was dedicated Feb. 28 before Elon’s 2-1 loss to Virginia Tech.
Bocock did acknowledge the fact that the season had plenty of on-field highlights, as well. Senior left fielder Tomeka Watson earned the Basnight Outstanding Female Athlete award from Elon for her .419 batting average, 12 doubles and 14 home runs. Watson also became Elon’s all-time leading home run hitter and hits leader during the season. The Jackson, Ga., native claimed Southern Conference player of the month for the month of February, when she hit a home run in six consecutive games. She capped the year with a first team All-Southern Conference selection.
Watson looked back on her season and believes her hard work and effort led her to success.
“When you work hard, good things come,” Watson said. “Doing the best you can and just pushing through.”
Bocock knows how much of a role Watson played on the team in her final year with the Phoenix.
“Tomeka was a good role model for the younger girls,” Bocock said. “She worked very hard at her hitting. She’s kind of set a standard for them to let them know that you can do it.”
Watson also added that her offensive success has left her without regrets for her senior season in the maroon and gold.
Playing alongside Watson was another All-Southern Conference selection, junior center fielder Carleigh Nester. Nester finished the year hitting .370 with 14 doubles and 11 home runs. Three of the doubles came in one game against Appalachian State University, tying an NCAA record. Nester earned Southern Conference player of the month for April, a month in which she hit .426.
“Staying consistent toward the end of the season and pulling through with my home runs and doubles,” Nester said when asked what she would be most proud of from 2013. “Whenever the season’s going on, I don’t keep up with my stats, I just know that I need to do what’s best for my team.”
Nester recalled that hitting coach Mike Steuerwald challenged her before the season to reach double digits, and she stepped up to the challenge.
In addition to their personal accomplishments, Watson and Nester were instrumental in some key moments for the Phoenix. On Feb. 8, Elon defeated then-No. 8 University of Georgia in the Bulldogs’ home opener, 5-2. Watson called the victory “the high of my season,” and Bocock said it was a top moment. Watson’s three-run home run in the sixth inning of the contest gave Elon the lead in a game just more than 70 miles from her hometown.
Elon also won its final five games against North Carolina A&T State University and the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
“It gave us momentum going into the [So-Con] tournament,” Nester said. “I know it pumped everybody up.”
The sweep of Chattanooga was highlighted by a pair of walk-offs: a home run from sophomore right fielder Amanda Allen for a 2-1 victory in the series’ second game, as well as a walk-off sacrifice fly from Nester on Senior Day for a 4-3 win against the Lady Mocs.
Three days later, Elon was eliminated in the SoCon tournament by Samford University in the play-in game. When the final inning began, Nester and Watson shared a special moment as they headed to their spots in the outfield for the final time together.
“Before every game, Tomeka and I, we always either say ‘left foot’ or ‘right foot’ and we jump over the line,” Nester said. “When we got out to center field, we looked at each other and we both had goosebumps.”
While preparing for life without Watson is an item on the Phoenix’s agenda this off-season, Bocock also adds that all-around con- sistency and strength of pitchers is important. Elon pitching finished the year with a 4.10 team ERA, but will return freshman Kayla Caruso and sophomore Chelsea White next year. Caruso arrived on campus and made an immediate impact, earning wins on consecutive days on two occasions. Her 3.44 ERA, 10 victories and 68 strikeouts earned her the top newcomer award for softball. White began the year by earning the win against Georgia, and claimed five of her seven victories in a seven-game stretch from April 20-May 5. The duo will return with more experience under their belts to lead Elon in the circle.
Though Watson will not be there for it, another Elon softball campaign begins in nine months. According to the team, year three of the Kathy Bocock era promises improvement and excitement on the diamond in 2014.