The Elon University softball team dropped the first two games of a three game nonconference set with East Carolina University 4-2 and 6-0 at the ECU Softball Field in Greenville, NC.
In the first game, the Pirates jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an infield single up the third base line from catcher Abby Wynne.
The Phoenix responded in the top of the third on a home run to straightaway center from freshman catcher Carey Million to knot the game at 1-1.
But the Pirates retook the lead, this time for good, in the bottom of the third. Senior third baseman Alex Fieldhouse hit a ground ball past Phoenix junior pitcher Caitlin O’Shea to senior second baseman Lauren Oldham, who made a valiant effort to field the ball and throw Fieldhouse out at first, but it was too late to get the speedy third baseman.
Up 2-1, the Pirates stretched their lead to 4-1 on a sacrifice fly to left from Wynne and a single from senior first baseman Jordan Lewis through the right side.
The Phoenix cut the Pirates’ led to 4-2 in the top of the seventh on senior shortstop Ali Ford’s home run to left center, but could get no closer.
O’Shea (6-13), who went five innings giving up four runs on nine hits, was saddled with the loss.
In the second game of Friday afternoon’s doubleheader, the Pirates pounded the Phoenix 6-0 in a game it dominated on both offense and in the circle.
The onslaught began in the bottom of the first on senior second baseman Kristi Oshiro’s three-run home run to right center to put the Pirates up 3-0.
ECU added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth on an infield single from senior designated player Jasmine Robbins to make it 4-0, and the Pirates added their last run in the bottom of the fifth on a triple to straightaway center from Lewis.
Elon junior starter Chelsea White (9-7) was given the loss after lasting just four innings, giving up six runs on seven hits.
Elon drops to 21-23-1 on the season, the first time the Phoenix has fallen under .500 this season.
The Phoenix will conclude its series with the Pirates on Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m.