The Elon University softball team was swept by local rival University of North Carolina at Greensboro 10-2 and 10-8 in the first two games of a three-game set May 3 at UNCG Softball Park in Greensboro in what is the Phoenix’s last series before postseason play begins next week.
In the first game, the Spartans used a dominant performance in the circle by senior starter Raeanne Hanks and hot bats from all nine starters to trounce the Phoenix 10-2.
The Spartans began their offensive onslaught in the bottom of the first with four runs. Sophomore catcher Lindsay Thomas began the scoring spree with a double to right center to put the Spartans up 1-0. Two batters later, sophomore designated player Nicole Thomas lined a single to score another, and three batters later, junior shortstop Tatiana Alcala added two more on a long triple to right center.
The Phoenix would cut the lead in half, 4-2, on a double to left center from freshman catcher Carey Million.
But Elon would get no closer, thanks to a six-run bottom of the fifth for the Spartans to end the game.
With runners on the corners and nobody out, Alcala singled to left to stretch the Spartans lead to 5-2. Two batters later, freshman Hagan Kiser, a pinch hitter who had just entered the game, ripped a single through the left side to score another and make it 6-2.
But the Spartans weren’t done. Back-to-back walks with the bases loaded added two more Spartans runs, and two singles from Nicole Thomas and Danielle Vega provided the last two UNCG runs.
Elon freshman starter Alli Burdette was saddled with the loss, going just 4.1 innings and giving up nine runs on 11 hits, walking two and striking out a pair.
Up until the top of the fifth inning, when Elon made a furious comeback down 10-4 to cut the Spartans lead to 10-8, it appeared as if the second game would be another easy win for the home side.
UNCG surrendered two runs in the top of the first before exploding for seven of its own in the bottom of the first on a three-run homer to right center, three RBI singles, and a passed ball. After one, the Spartans led 7-2.
The Phoenix would cut the deficit to 7-4 in the top of the second on a home run to left from sophomore second baseman Emily Cameron, her eighth on the season.
But the Spartans responded, adding three more in the bottom of the second to take a commanding 10-4 lead.
The Phoenix, with its back against the wall, responded with two in the fifth and a pair in the sixth to close within two at 10-8.
Senior left fielder Carleigh Nester hit a long home run to left center, her 15th of the season, which passed Tomeka Watson’s (2010-13) previous program record for a single season and cut the Spartans lead to 10-5.
Freshman first baseman Emily Roper then added a solo shot of her own to bring the Phoenix within four at 10-6.
After holding the Spartans scoreless in the bottom of the fifth, the Phoenix added two more on Cameron sacrifice fly to left and a booming double to left center by freshman center fielder Alaina Hall.
Down 10-8 and with Hall on third with two outs, Nester popped out to second to preserve the UNCG 10-8 win and two-game sweep.
Caitlin O’Shea was handed the loss, giving up all 10 UNCG runs on 12 hits and walking four.
The Spartans move to 26-24 overall, and 9-11 in Southern Conference play, while the Phoenix drops to 24-26-1 overall, and 6-14 in the SoCon.
The two teams will conclude their three game series at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 4 at the UNCG Softball Field.