The Elon University softball team was on the wrong side of a 13-5 loss to North Carolina State University in a midweek nonconference game March 26 in Raleigh, N.C.
The Wolfpack jumped on the Phoenix immediately, scoring eight runs in the bottom of the first to effectively put the game out of reach early.
The onslaught began with junior shortstop Renada Davis’ solo home run over the left field wall. The Wolfpack scored a second run on Elon junior starter Caitlin O’Shea’s passed ball, which allowed freshman right fielder Molly Hutchinson to cruise home from third. Two batters later, senior Scout Albertson ripped a double down the left field line to score two and double the Wolfpack’s lead to 4-0.
The Phoenix brought in junior Chelsea White to stop the bleeding, but she wasn’t able to quell the Wolfpack’s rally. Senior catcher Kirsty Grant lofted a routine fly to left that was booted by Elon sophomore left fielder Emily Cameron, which allowed two more to score. Davis then blasted her second home run of the inning, this time a two-run shot, to almost the exact same place in left, giving the Wolfpack an 8-0 lead.
After the Phoenix was held scoreless in the top of the second, NC State added three more on two wild pitches and a home run to left from Jones.
Down 11-0 and desperate for runs, the Phoenix broke through in the top of the fourth on a two run home run to left center from freshman catcher Emily Roper to cut the Wolfpack lead to 11-2.
After NC State added a twelfth run in the bottom of the fourth on a home run to right center from freshman pinch hitter Morgan Medford, the Phoenix added three runs of its own in the top of the fifth on home runs from freshman right fielder Alaina Hall, a two-run home run to right, and a solo shot from Cameron.
In the bottom of the fifth, NC State was able to end the game with a single to right from freshman Nadia Kemp, which scored sophomore third baseman Lana Van Dyken and gave the Wolfpack a 13-5 victory.
O’Shea (4-7), was saddled with the loss, lasting just two-thirds of an inning, allowing six runs (four earned) on two hits and issuing five walks.
Elon will have to regroup quickly, as it hosts the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Thursday, March 27, at Hunt Softball Park. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.