In the bottom of the fourth, the Elon University softball team led 5-0 and seemingly controlled the game. But Longwood University began its furious comeback that saw the Lancers push three runs across in the seventh inning for a 6-5 victory on April 16 in a midweek nonconference game in Farmville, Va.
The Phoenix started fast, scoring two in the top of the first on an infield single down the third base line from sophomore right fielder/first baseman Emily Cameron and a single to center from junior first baseman/right fielder Grace Eng.
The Phoenix added three more in the top of the second. Freshman center fielder Alaina Hall doubled to left center to score freshman catcher Carey Million and stretch the Elon lead to 3-0.
Two batters later, Cameron singled through the left side to score Hall and senior left fielder Carleigh Nester to make it 5-0 Phoenix.
That’s when the Lancers took control of the game, scoring two in the fourth on an error by Eng and a bases loaded walk from junior starter Caitlin O’Shea.
They then scored another in the fifth on an infield single down the first base line from sophomore third baseman Carly Adams to cut the Phoenix lead to 5-3.
Still, the Phoenix led 5-3 heading into the Lancers last at-bats. But O’Shea was unable to hold the lead, surrendering three runs on a triple down the right field line from junior catcher Megan Baltzell, an error by Elon senior second baseman Lauren Oldham, and a single to center from freshman second baseman Justina Augustine to give the Lancers a 6-5 victory.
O’Shea (6-12) was saddled with the loss after going 6.1 innings and giving up four runs on six hits and walking four.
Longwood freshman reliever Elizabeth McCarthy gets the win after throwing 5.2 innings of shutout baseball, giving up just one hit, walking one and striking out ten.
The Phoenix will travel to Greenville, S.C., to take on East Carolina University in a three game set April 18-19. The first game on Friday is slated to begin at 5 p.m.