MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – Despite scoring a run early in the first inning, the Elon University softball team was doomed by a two-run second frame by College of Charleston as the Phoenix fell to the Cougars by a score of 2-1 on Sunday afternoon, March 26, in the Colonial Athletic Association rubber match between the two teams at the Patriots Point Softball Complex.
Elon (19-11, 1-2 CAA) suffered its first back-to-back defeat since March 7 with its loss to the Cougars (17-12, 2-1 CAA). The Phoenix also has dropped four out of the last five to CofC dating back to last season.
At the Plate: Both teams were tied with five hits apiece…Kara Shutt was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and the Phoenix’s lone RBI to lead Elon in the batter’s box…Alaina Hall, Carey Million and Jenna Reilly had the other hits for Elon with Hall extending her hit streak to nine games…Hall also had a stolen base…The Phoenix left four runners on base.
In the Circle: Starter Kiandra Mitchum (10-6) pitched her second complete game of the weekend, giving up five hits and two runs with a strikeout in the game.
The Rundown: Shutt drove in Hall with a one-out double in the top of the first. Hall reached on a walk and stole second to move into scoring position. Shutt followed with a 3-2 pitch into right center to score the first run of the game. Shutt would move over to third in the inning, but would be stranded as the Phoenix popped up to close the inning.
The Cougars took the lead in the bottom of the second thanks to three consecutive doubles. Lexee Emanuel led off with a double into left field and scored with a Sara Garcia drive down the left field line. Garcia herself crossed the dish on a double to left by Katie Padilla to give CofC a 2-1 lead.
Elon had runners reach scoring position in the top of the third. Reilly reached on a leadoff single into shallow left and moved to second on Hall’s bunt single. The pair moved into scoring position on a wild pitch with just one out, but the Cougars converted a double play on a line out to center to pick off the runner at second to escape the inning.
Despite a strong performance from Mitchum and the Phoenix defense after that point, Elon could not get the bats going for the remainder of the game. Shutt hit her second double of the game in the top of the sixth with one out to give the Phoenix the tying run in scoring position. She would be the last base runner to reach as the Phoenix’s next five batters were retired as the Cougars held on to the 2-1 win.
On Deck
The Phoenix closes out its eight-game road trip with a visit to local Triad rival North Carolina A&T on Wednesday, March 29. Opening pitch is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start.