Coming off a victory over the University of North Carolina at Wilmington Feb. 8, the Elon University softball team won two games Feb. 9 and tied another one that ended early due to darkness at the Charleston Southern University Tournament.
Elon 9, Maryland-Eastern Shore 0 (5 innings)
In a game that began Feb. 8 and finished Feb. 9 because of weather problems in Charleston, S.C., Elon jumped on the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore early and often, taking the first of the team’s two games 9-0 in five innings.
The Phoenix wasted no time in taking control of the game. Junior first baseman Grace Eng hit a solo home run in the second, sophomore right fielder/first baseman Emily Cameron and junior right fielder Caitlin O’Shea hit two over the fence in the third and senior Carleigh Nester added another in the fourth to give Elon an 8-0 lead and effectively put the game out of reach for the Hawks.
Senior designated hitter Johanna Spencer would add the Phoenix’s ninth run on a sacrifice fly later in the fourth.
Nester and Cameron each had a home run and three RBI for the Phoenix.
Freshman pitcher Ali Burdette, in her first start as a member of the Phoenix, went all five innings giving up just three hits, walking one and striking out six to earn the win.
Elon 11, Maryland-Eastern Shore 0 (5 Innings)
The second game was much of the same for Elon. The Phoenix again jumped out to a commanding lead early and used a dominant performance from junior Eve Clausen on the mound to win 11-0.
Elon once again used a home run, hit by Cameron in the first inning, to take the lead. The Phoenix would add two in the fourth and three in the fifth on three more homers, a single, and a Hawks error to provide the separation needed to invoke the mercy rule once again.
Nester and Cameron again supplied the majority of the Phoenix’s offense, with two and three RBI, respectively.
On the mound, Clausen (1-0) held the Hawks without a hit, striking out two and not walking anyone. Burdette came in to close the game and was equally as dominant, surrendering one hit and striking out two.
The Phoenix will return home to host the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill at 4 p.m. Feb. 12.
Elon 5, Charleston Southern 5 (7 innings)
After seven innings of play in the weekend's final contest, Elon and Charleston Southern were forced to suspend play due to darkness. The Phoenix took a 5-0 lead after three innings, but saw that vanish by the sixth inning when the Buccaneers tied it. The game ends in an official tie, setting Elon's overall record at 3-0-1.