Coming off of a weekend sweep, the Elon University softball team knew it had momentum on its side for a Wednesday evening matchup with the East Carolina University Pirates. Elon used the momentum to score five runs in the first two innings en route to a 6-3 win.
Freshman Kayla Caruso started in the circle for the Phoenix and gave up a home run to Pirates junior infielder Alex Fieldhouse in the first inning. The Phoenix quickly responded though when junior third baseman Johanna Spencer doubled home senior left fielder Tomeka Watson. Later in the first inning, sophomore first baseman Grace Eng singled to score Spencer and gave Elon the lead.
The Pirates added two runs in the top of the second, but Elon settled down and gained the lead for good in the bottom of the frame. Watson reached on an RBI fielder’s choice that scored sophomore right fielder Lauren Oldham. Spencer added an RBI groundout to score junior center fielder Carleigh Nester and freshman second baseman Emily Cameron singled home Watson for the fifth run of the game.
Elon added one more insurance run in the sixth when senior catcher Camille Hill hit an RBI single to score Nester.
Caruso settled down after the first two innings, finishing the day with her third complete game in five days by allowing six hits, two earned runs, no walks, and striking out five.
Elon improved. to 6-4 with their fifth straight win while East Carolina dropped to 6-8.