In the second game of its doubleheader, the Elon University softball team took on Radford University.
Senior pitcher Chelsea White started on the bump for the Phoenix, making her first start of the year. White only threw two innings before being relieved by sophomore Alli Burdette due to a tough second inning that plated 3 runs on 3 hits.
The Phoenix answered back in the bottom of the second inning but still trailed by two. The score was 3-1 in Radford’s favor.
After Burdette got three outs, only facing four batters in the top of the third, Elon took the opportunity to cut the deficit. The Phoenix manufactured two runs on a double by freshman Kara Shutt and single from junior Emily Cameron. The game was tied.
Gaining another run in the fourth inning, the Phoenix had the lead going into the top of the sixth inning. After setting down the leadoff batter, three consecutive hits that allowed a run and put the tying run on base, Burdette was replaced by junior Kayla Caruso. A Radford single pushed them into the lead, 5-4.
Burdette was a solid replacement for White. She pitched three and a third innings only allowing two runs and had three strikeouts facing 18 batters.
Following a single by sophomore outfielder Alaina Hall, sophomore catcher Emily Roper stepped up to the plate. Roper had a big RBI single in the first game of the doubleheader, and she stepped up again in the second game. A double to left center drove in Hall and tied the game.
“I hit everyday so I was pretty calm and just wanted to contribute,” Roper said.
No runs for either team in the seventh forced extra innings. Caruso set the Highlanders down in order in the top of the eighth, bringing Elon to bat. A one out single from freshman infielder Hannah Olson put the winning run on base. Olson then advanced to second on a ground out from Alaina Hall. Freshman outfielder Kara Shutt stepped in looking to win the game. A rope to left field did the job, scoring Olson and giving the Phoenix the victory, 6-5.
“I knew we needed to score," Shutt said. "I was trying to make something happen, just put the ball in play,”
Winning both games of the doubleheader puts the Phoenix at 2-0 for the season. They will return to Hunt Park on Sunday, Feb. 8 to take on Radford again.