The Elon University softball team was in need of a spark after losing four in a row and five of its last six, and the Phoenix got it in a 7-2 win over North Carolina Central University April 23 at Hunt Softball Park. It was Elon’s last nonconference game of the season.
The Phoenix had just five hits, but it was enough to stem the tide and stop an ugly losing streak with the Southern Conference Tournament approaching.
“It was nice to get a win under our belts,” Oldham said. “We needed one going into the big series we have this weekend. Hopefully we can carry the momentum from tonight over to the weekend.”
The Lady Eagles struck first with two in the top of the third off Elon junior starter Chelsea White, who would earn her 10th win of the season after lasting five innings, giving up the two third-inning runs and scattering six hits.
“Chelsea did a good job,” head coach Kathy Bocock said. “She followed the game plan and had her stuff working well today. She located well and kept the hitters off balance.”
With North Carolina Central runners on second and third, freshman designated player/pitcher Dominque Wilson blooped a single into left center that fell between three Phoenix fielders to score both runs and give North Carolina Central a 2-0 lead.
The Phoenix wasted little time coming back, knotting the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third on a two-run home run to left center from junior left fielder Grace Eng, her eighth on the season.
“Grace’s home run really got us going,” Oldham said. “It got the rest of us pumped up. We used that energy to get going ourselves.”
After holding the Eagles scoreless in the top of the fourth, the Phoenix then added three runs in the bottom of the fourth on a three-run home run to left center from junior third baseman Aly Quintana, her third of the year.
Already up 5-2, the Phoenix added a sixth run in the bottom of the fifth on walk to senior designated player Carleigh Nester with the bases loaded.
Elon added an extra insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on a Nester single to center.
Quintana paced the Phoenix offensively, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
The Phoenix will resume conference play with a three-game series against Samford University April 26 and 27 at Hunt Softball Park. The first of a Saturday doubleheader will begin a 1 p.m.