The Elon University softball team suffered a second straight lopsided loss to an Atlantic Coast Conference foe, this time the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 13-1 in six innings March 27 at Hunt Softball Park.
As North Carolina State University did on Wednesday, the Tar Heels jumped on the Phoenix early.
With the bases loaded in the top of the second, Tar Heels sophomore center fielder Aquilla Mateen chopped a ground ball toward short that she beat out for an infield single, scoring the first Tar Heels run. The next hitter, senior left fielder Amy Nece, ripped a single into center to score two more runs and stretch the UNC lead to 3-0.
North Carolina would add two more on two errors by Elon freshman catcher Carey Million. By the time the Phoenix came in to take its hacks in the bottom of the second, the team was trailing 5-0.
After holding the Phoenix scoreless in the bottom of the second, the Tar Heels added a sixth run on a bases loaded walk to go up 6-0.
The Phoenix finally broke through in the bottom of the third when freshman designated player Emily Roper was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to pull the Phoenix within five at 6-1.
But the Tar Heels buried the Phoenix with another run in the fourth on a solo home run to left center by redshirt junior right fielder Jordan Scarboro, and six more in the sixth on a passed ball, a grand slam to left center from Brown, and an error from Phoenix junior left fielder Caitlin O’Shea.
Elon junior starter Chelsea White (7-5) struggled, lasting just one inning, giving up five runs (four earned) on five hits and two walks. She was saddled with the loss.
The Phoenix will host Furman University this weekend in a two-day, three-game series. The first game of a doubleheader on Saturday, March 29, will begin at 1 p.m.