ELON, N.C. – Emily Cameron’s single to left field in the bottom of the seventh propelled the Elon University softball team to a 5-4 walk-off victory over Radford on Tuesday afternoon, March 24, at Hunt Softball Park.
Cameron’s RBI capped of the come-from-behind win for the Phoenix (19-8) who had trailed the Highlanders (6-16) by three runs majority of the game. Cameron had one of the Phoenix’s six hits on the afternoon with freshman Kara Shutt leading the way with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate, which included a home run and three runs scored. Emily Roper also homered for the Phoenix while going 1-for-2 with two RBI.
Junior Kayla Caruso (6-0) received the win in relief after pitching 4.1 innings and allowed only one hit with three strikeouts. Starter Alli Burdette went 2.2 innings and gave up four hits and four runs, but only one earned.
Despite having four errors on the day, Elon was not phased by the Highlanders despite falling behind by as much as three, 4-1, after the top of the third. The win also was the second walk-off victory over Radford in the programs three meetings this year.
Elon jumped out to a 1-0 lead after the bottom of the first behind a solo home run by Shutt, her second of the year. The Greensboro, N.C., native battled Radford starter Taylor Asimakopoulos with a 13-pitch at bat before sending a 3-2 pitch to right field to put the maroon and gold up 1-0.
Radford tied the game in the top of the first on a single to left by Summer Robinson before adding three more runs in the top of the next frame to put the Phoenix in a 4-1 hole. Casey Burns led off the top of the third with a solo home run before a couple of Elon miscues led to two more runs crossing the plate.
The Phoenix got a run back in the bottom of the fourth. Aly Quintana drew a two-out, bases loaded walk that put the maroon and gold within two, 4-2. A fly out to left field ended the threat for Elon.
In the bottom of the fifth, Elon tied the game again behind Roper’s fourth homer of the year. The sophomore took a 0-1 pitch and blasted to left field to score herself and Shutt to tie the game at 4-4. Elon got another base runner to reach second in the frame, but left her stranded on a fly out to left.
After Caruso set down the Highlanders in order in the top of the seventh, Elon took advantage of its opportunity in the bottom half. Alaina Hall reached on a one-out bunt single and was joined on the bases by Shutt and Roper, who were walked and hit-by-pitch, respectively. That brought up Cameron, who was able to place the ball just over the glove of the third baseman to bring in Hall to give Elon the 5-4 win.
Elon returns to the field tomorrow, March 25, to host local rival UNCG. First pitch begins at 5 p.m.