Elon University softball won both games in its doubleheader against Fairleigh Dickinson University Sunday afternoon, 5-1 and 9-4.
After beating Fairleigh Dickinson once Sunday, the Phoenix came out strong, scoring two in the first inning. Elon had seven hits and five runs spread out between seven different players in a balanced offensive attack.
Senior starting pitcher Kayla Caruso dominated for Elon, pitching her first complete game win since a 2014 game at Western Carolina University. In seven innings, Caruso gave up four hits, one run, and no walks.
“We were hitting the outside, which is important because its challenging the hitter,” Caruso said. “It was awesome for me because I love pounding the outside and then hitting them with the off speed.”
Elon’s offense continued its solid efforts in the second game, with freshman designated player Ashtyn Foddrell, sophomore center fielder Kara Shutt, and junior first baseman Carey Million combining for seven hits, three runs, and five RBIs. Sophomore right fielder Kristin Hoover also added a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth.
“We just kept it simple today and really tried not to perform outside of ourselves,” said Million. “We strung hits together, and that’s how you win ball games.”
Though Elon’s offense was strong, the Phoenix committed five errors on the day, which allowed Fairleigh Dickinson to keep both games close. Small mental mistakes from all different positions lead to extra bases and a few extra runs for the Knights.
“We got to clean up some stuff — we were moving people around because we are so young, and we got to see where people are gonna be,” said head coach Kathy Bocock. “But when they are called on, they got to be able to do their job and when they are not they got to pick other people up. We just got to play sharper and a lot better.”
Elon gets to rest up for the week before heading to the Spartan Invitational in Spartanburg, South Carolina, which starts March 5.