GREENSBORO, N.C. – Despite losing game one of its doubleheader in walk-off fashion, the Elon University softball team rebounded to clinch its three-game series versus UNCG on Saturday, March 18, with a win in game two as the Phoenix fell to the Spartans in the first game of the day, 4-3, but came back in the rubber match with an 8-2 victory at UNCG Softball Stadium.
Elon (17-9) won its seventh game in its last eight and improved to 2-2 overall on the road this season with its win over the Spartans (16-11). The win was also the third out of the last four games in the series between the two longtime Triad rivals.
Senior Alaina Hall became the sixth player in school history with 200 career hits in the first game. The Suwanee, Ga., native was 4-for-8 overall on the day while fellow senior Emily Roper was 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Callie Horn had four RBI in the second game for the Phoenix.
Hailey Jomp earned the win in relief in game two for the Phoenix, improving to 3-1 on the season. The sophomore tossed 4.0 innings in relief and allowed one earned run for the Phoenix. Kiandra Mitchum took the tough luck loss in the opening game to fall to 9-5 this season after coming on in relief of starter Kenna Quinn.
The Rundown: UNCG attacked the Phoenix early in the bottom of the opening frame in the first game. The Spartans’ Jasmine Palmer connected on a leadoff homerun into left center to put the maroon and gold in an early 1-0 deficit.
The Phoenix had its best first chance to score a run in the top of the third. Roper leadoff double to right gave Phoenix a runner in immediate scoring position before a grounder advanced her to third with one out. UNCG however was able to finagle its way out of the jam to leave the runner stranded.
In the home half of the third, UNCG had a chance to add to its lead. The Spartans led off with a single into right field and advanced to second after a Phoenix throwing error. After a walk gave UNCG runners at first and second, the pair moved over into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. Quinn and the Phoenix induced the next two outs however to keep the game close, 1-0, going to the fourth.
Elon took the lead with a two-spot in the top half of the fourth. Hall connected on her 200th career hit with a leadoff single and moved over to second on Kara Shutt’s bunt single. The pair moved into scoring position on a fly out to left center with Kristin Hoover coming to the plate. Hoover drove a deep ball into left center, enabling Hall to score on the sacrifice fly, but an errant throw from the centerfielder that went into UNCG’s dugout advanced Shutt to cross home plate as well as Elon took the 2-1 lead.
The Spartans jumped back in front in the bottom of the fifth. UNCG opened the frame with a single and walk before the runners moved over into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. The pair crossed home plate thanks to Gabrielle Cubbage’s RBI single into left center to put the Spartans ahead 3-2.
The Phoenix tied the game at three-all in the top of the seventh. Roper hit her second home run of the year on a leadoff hit to center field. Elon had a runner reach second with two outs in the inning, but could not drive her in as the inning turned over.
The Spartans wasted no time with the walkoff hit in its home half. Palmer took a 0-1 pitch and took it to left field to help the Spartans earn the 4-3 game one victory.
Elon took a 5-0 lead in the first three innings of the second contest. The Phoenix put up three in the top of the second as Roper drove in a couple of runs on a single to left field to put the Phoenix up 2-0. Horn then added another run via a single to drive to Roper to put the Phoenix up 3-0.
The Phoenix added another two runs in the top of the third. Carey Million drove in a run after reaching on a fielder’s choice before another run crossed home plate after Jenna Reilly drew a bases loaded walk.
UNCG added a run back in the bottom half of the third off a Palmer solo home run. That brought the score to 5-1 prior to a two-hour lightning and rain delay.
After the delay, Elon answered with a three-run inning in the top of the fifth. Horn hit a bases-loaded clearing double down the left field line to increase Elon’s lead to seven, 8-1. UNCG answered back as the Spartans led off the frame with a solo home run to make the score 8-2, but the Phoenix would hold off the bats for the remainder of the game to clinch the series with the rubber match victory.
On Deck
The Phoenix continues its road trip with a visit to East Carolina next Wednesday, March 24, for a single game. First pitch is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m.