The Elon University softball team's bats were on fire in its doubleheader on Tuesday against Rider University. In the two games, the Phoenix won 4-2 and 10-1.
After a scoreless first inning, Rider drove in a run in the top of the second with an infield single.
Elon responded to the early 1-0 deficit in the bottom of the third. After freshman Madison Kadlic drew a walk to lead off the inning, freshman Hannah Olson smashed a two-run homer over the left field wall. The next batter, sophomore Alaina Hall, put herself in scoring position with a walk and stolen base. Consecutive hits from sophomore Emily Roper and junior Emily Cameron drove across two more runs, giving the Phoenix a 4-1 lead. By the end of the game, Elon won 4-2.
Although Elon's offense was hot from the start, the pitching rotation proved equally impressive. Junior Kayla Caruso started for the Phoenix and allowed five hits and two runs through five innings of work. She also struck out two batters and had a pair of three up, three down innings to improve her record to 5-0.
Senior Caitlin O’Shea notched her third save of the season with by pitching the final two innings. O’Shea didn’t allow a run or hit and struck out one. With this save, she passed her sister, Erin O’Shea, a 2012 Elon graduate, for second all-time in program history for career saves.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Phoenix performed well on the mound and in the batter's box. Holding a nine-run lead, Elon won the game in five innings by virtue of the run rule.
Sophomore Alli Burdette delivered one of her best performances of the season by throwing four scoreless innings to improve her record to 2-1. She earned four strikeouts and allowed three hits. Seniors Eve Clausen and Chelsea White closed off the game with one run and two strikeouts to finish the game.
While Burdette excelled on the mound, other players dominated on offense. With two on and one out in the first inning, junior Emily Cameron got a two-RBI single. In the second, Olson hit her second home run of the day, her first coming in the opening contest of the doubleheader. After a quiet third inning, the Phoenix drove in five runs in the fourth to increase its lead to eight. In the end, Elon sealed a 10-1 win.
The Phoenix will look to carry its momentum from its fourth consecutive win when hosting East Carolina on Wednesday.