The Elon University softball team rode a five run inning and a complete game from junior pitcher Chelsea White to open up its 2014 season with an 8-3 win over the University of North Carolina at Wilmington Feb. 8. in Charleston, S.C. on the opening day of the Charleston Southern tournament.
After two scoreless innings, the Phoenix broke the game open with a five-run third inning. Freshman left fielder Alaina Hall reached on a bunt single to lead the inning off and later scored on a throwing error by Seahawks sophomore catcher Erin Brown.
Senior infielder Ali Ford added to the Phoenix lead by driving in senior center 
fielder Carleigh Nester, and freshman catcher Carey Million made it 3-0 Elon with a sacrifice bunt that scored Ford. Elon would add two more on a two-out single into right center by senior second baseman Lauren Oldham and never looked back, adding three insurance runs in the top of the seventh after UNCW had cut the Phoenix lead to 5-3 on a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth and a solo blast in the fifth.
White (1-0) threw a complete game and got the win for the Phoenix, surrendering three runs on five hits, striking out four and walking just two.
Offensively, the Phoenix was led by Oldham, who went 2-for-4 with four runs driven in.
Elon will conclude the Charleston Southern tournament with a double-header against the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore. The first game, a continuation of the Phoenix’s second game Feb. 8, will resume at 1 p.m. in the top of the fourth with Elon up 5-0. The teams will then play a rematch shortly following the conclusion of the first game.