Freshman pitcher Abby Barker threw the first perfect game in the Elon University softball team’s Division I era in a 8-0 win over Niagara University Friday night.
“I was mixing it up and my catcher was calling a great game,” Barker said. “I was throwing a little bit of everything— hitting the corners and some off-speed too.”
Barker pitched six innings and only 74 pitches and struck out three, as the Phoenix walked off with a run-rule victory in the bottom of the sixth in Elon’s first game of the weekend Elon Softball Tournament. Barker said she wasn't aware that the perfect game was happening.
“I honestly try and block it out as much as possible,” Barker said. “I know my defense is behind me and I’m just going one out at a time.”
Elon scored six runs in just the first two innings, which saw the Phoenix bat around in the four-run second inning. Junior infielder Emily Roper had four plate appearances and was 2-2 with two RBIs, two runs and two walks. Head coach Kathey Bocock wasn't fully satisfied with Elon's performance, though.
“We are understanding we can play with anybody, but we can’t keep making mistake after mistake,” Bocock said. “We’ve been working hard, and [in the end], it’s all about the team win.”
Elon heads back out onto the field for two games Saturday, starting at 12:15 p.m. against Oakland University and another game against Niagara University at 2:30 p.m.