The Elon University softball team split the first two of a three game set with Southern Conference foe Samford University at Hunt Softball Park on April 26, losing the first game 3-1 before returning the favor in the day’s second game with a 6-1 win.
The Bulldogs struck first in the top of the first inning of the first game. With runners on the corners and one out, sophomore third baseman Callie Brister fouled out to Phoenix freshman first baseman Emily Roper in short right field, just deep enough to allow sophomore center fielder Megan Dowdy to tag and score to put the Bulldogs up 1-0.
Elon would respond right away in the bottom of the first with its lone run of the game, driven in on senior left fielder Carleigh Nester’s triple to right center.
Samford, though, would pull away, scoring its second run in the top of the second on a single to center from Dowdy, and add a third on a solo home run to left from junior shortstop Abby Adams.
Phoenix freshman starter Alli Burdette was saddled with the tough-luck loss despite going a complete game and giving up just three runs on seven hits.
She pitched well enough to win, said freshman center fielder Alaina Hall, but Elon’s offense let her down.
“Alli did good enough to win that game, but we didn’t give her any offense,” Hall said. “She hit her spots. She had great velocity. She should’ve gotten the win.”
In the day’s second game, the Phoenix used hot hitting and a masterful performance from junior starter Caitlin O’Shea to set up a rubber match in the series finale on Sunday, April 27.
In the bottom of the first with Hall on first and one out, Nester lofted a deep fly ball over the fence in left, a two run shot and her 13th on the year.
Up 2-0, the Phoenix would add another run in the bottom of the third on sacrifice fly to right from junior third baseman Aly Quintana, scoring Nester from third and stretching the lead to 3-0.
The Bulldogs got one back in the top of the sixth on designated player Caroline Wilder’s double just inside the right field line, which scored Dowdy from third and cut the Phoenix lead to 3-1.
But Elon was not fazed, adding three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth on Hall’s line drive triple down the right field line with the bases loaded to clear the bases and give the Phoenix its final margin of victory, 6-1.
O’Shea was spectacular, going seven and giving up just one run on six hits en route to her seventh win on the season.
“Caitlin did a great job,” Bocock said. “Coach Jacobson’s been working with her a lot on getting ahead in the counts, and she did. Once she did that, she could mix in a lot of different pitches. She knew that if she didn’t give up any [walks] that she’d be in position for a win and that’s what happened.”
Elon moves to 23-24-1 overall, and 5-12 in Southern Conference play, while the Bulldogs move to 34-14 overall, 9-7 in conference play.
Sunday’s series finale will be senior day for Elon’s six seniors.
“It’s bittersweet,” Nester said. “I’ve had four great years here and its sad to see it all come to an end. I’m probably going to be an emotional roller coaster.”