The Elon University softball team held the College of Charleston Cougars to only one run in Sunday's contest at Hunt Field, winning the game 7-1. The win secured Elon’s first Colonial Athletic Association series win of the season as the team split yesterday's doubleheader.
Sunday's win consisted of steady success at the plate for the Phoenix, led by senior center fielder Rebecca Murray. With two RBIs on the day, Murray started the scoring momentum for Elon with a home run to left field in the bottom of the third. She also stole a base and scored two runs of her own on the day.
“Attacking offensively was a huge part of our game plan going into today and I think we did a great job of that all around,” Murray said.
After Elon scored two more runs in the fourth, senior designated player Megan White continued to push the offensive momentum in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run line drive up the middle, sending shortstop Bella Devesa and junior catcher Carley Davis home to put Elon ahead 5-0.
The Phoenix added two more runs in the sixth and seventh innings and allowed just one to secure the 7-1 victory.
With a conference record of 3-6, head coach Kathy Bocock said her players will need to prepare mentally and physically for next weekend’s series against Drexel University, who sits one spot above Elon in the conference standings.
“The girls have been practicing and playing this game all their life. Softball is a game of failure, and anyone who plays it seriously knows that and accepts it,” Bocock said. “Taking things pitch by pitch and focusing on our mental game is what's going to take us far in the long run, and the girls have done a great job of that.”
Murray had high praise for her teammates and said she will work this week to prepare for next weekend’s series with a clear headspace.
“We have a very good team. The talent and support for each other is there and we just have to trust the process of going into high stakes games next weekend to get into the tournament.”
Today was Bocock’s 501st career win as a head coach as she reached 500 with a victory on Saturday. Bocock said the achievement was an important moment for her.
“It is a really big honor for me and it means everything. This milestone gives me the opportunity to thank all my past players, coaching staff, and family along with everyone in the support staff like our trainers and field crew,” said Bocock. “I don’t get here without any of them.”
The Phoenix return to Hunt Field on Saturday for a doubleheader against Drexel at 12:00 p.m.