After the Elon University softball team was pounded 11-1 in six innings by Southern Conference foe Appalachian State University, their second loss in the series’ three games, Phoenix head coach Kathy Bocock gathered her team and gave them a spirited pep talk in which she says she told them to move on from this game.
“I wanted them to keep their heads up because we still have a lot of games left in the (Southern) Conference,” Bocock said. “All that matters is working toward our goal of winning the SoCon tournament.”
Phoenix freshman starter Alli Burdette (3-2) was saddled with the loss after lasting just one inning, giving up two runs, neither of which were earned, on one hit. Two throwing errors on freshman catcher Carey Million supplied the Mountaineers with both of their first inning runs.
Bocock thought Burdette pitched decently, and was satisfied with her poise given the spotty fielding behind her.
“She was off a little bit, and sometimes that can make your fielding a little off,” Bocock said. “We need her to be more consistent, because when you’re not, you’re always chasing, and we can’t do that to our hitters.”
Up 2-0, the Mountaineers added four more in the top of the second on junior pitcher Chelsea White, who had come in to relieve Burdette.
With the bases loaded, sophomore second baseman Cynthia Gomez grounded softly to Ford, who threw home to get the lead runner. The throw beat the Mountaineer runner to the plate, but Million had taken her foot off the plate too soon, and the runner was called safe.
From there, the floodgates opened for the Mountaineers. The next batter, sophomore catcher Sarah Warnock, ripped a double into left center, scoring two more and stretching the Mountaineer lead to 5-0.
After an infield single reloaded the bases, freshman shortstop Cara Parker lofted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring one and giving the Mountaineers a 6-0 lead.
The Phoenix was able to answer in the bottom of the second with its lone run, driven in on a single to left from senior shortstop Ali Ford.
But the Mountaineers were far from finished, adding two more in the top of the third on a double to right from freshman second baseman Caroline Reid, who had come in for Gomez.
At 8-1, the game had long since been decided, but the Mountaineers scored three more in the top of the sixth on a double to right center from sophomore center fielder Ashley Seering and a two-run home run to left from Parker.
Down 11-1, the Phoenix was forced to score to extend the game, but it was unable to, and the game was called after six innings.
Although blown out, there was one bright spot for the Phoenix on this day. With her double down the right field line in the bottom of the third, senior center fielder Carleigh Nester became the program’s leader in career doubles.
“It’s a great accomplishment, but it would be better if we got a SoCon championship ring at the end of the year,” Nester said. “It’s a team sport, so the ultimate prize is the SoCon championship, but I’m honored to be able to hold that record.”
Mountaineers sophomore starter Alissa Schoelkopf (4-7) was given the win after surrendering one run on five hits, walking two and striking out three.
The Phoenix will have a short turnaround before its doubleheader Tuesday afternoon against Longwood University. The first of the two will begin at 4:30 p.m.
“My personality is that when something happens, after it happens, is that you need to move forward,” Bocock said. “You need to go back to the drawing board and get better and focus on beating Longwood.”