The Elon University softball team won both games Saturday, defeating Oakland University 8-0 win over Oakland University and Niagara University 7-2.
Against Oakland, Elon scored four runs in the first to kickstart the day. Junior catcher Emily Roper and sophomore right-fielder Kristin Hoover were responsible for bringing the runs in for the Phoenix. Roper was 1-1 with a walk, two RBIs, and two runs and Hoover was 2-3 with four RBIs. Sophomore center-fielder Kara Shutt also went 2-3 with both her hits being triples.
Freshman pitcher Elise Walton also threw a complete game shutout to help seal the deal for the Phoenix. She pitched five innings and only gave up four hits, striking out five.
“The girls are breaking things down in small categories and they are doing a really good job working on these things together and trusting one another,” said head coach Kathy Bocock.
The second game was a nail-biter through five and a half innings. Niagara scored first with two runs in the second off starting sophomore pitcher Kiandra Mitchum. Elon added one back when junior catcher Carey Million scored on a wild pitch in the second, but then they were shut down until the sixth.
Million made another heads-up play on the bases to score the tying run on a double steal.
“I try to pick up on and capitalize on their mistakes to push in runs when we are down,” said Million.
From there the offense woke up and the Phoenix batted through their line-up in the bottom of the sixth scoring six runs to close out the game.
“In game situations like that and for these girls is good so they know that they can do those things,” Bocock said. “It makes them have the confidence they need.
Elon finishes out the Elon Softball Tournament tomorrow at noon when it takes on Central Connecticut State University at Hunt Softball Park.