ELON, North Carolina – With its Colonial Athletic Association Tournament hopes on the line, Elon overcame a three-run deficit by scoring five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to earn a 5-3 victory over UNCW in the CAA series opener at Hunt Softball Park on Friday evening.
The Seahawks and the Phoenix were scheduled to play a doubleheader on Friday night, but the second game was suspended in the bottom of the first inning due to rain and will resume on Saturday.
Elon, which secured a CAA Tournament berth as a result of Friday's victory, improved to 28-20 overall and 9-10 in the CAA after its second straight win. Meanwhile, the Seahawks were eliminated from postseason contention after falling to 19-25 overall and 5-14 in league play.
Freshman
Kara Shutt (Southeast Guilford H.S./Greensboro, N.C.) and sophomore
Carey Million (Hun School of Princeton/Robeling, N.J.) each hit a home run in the decisive sixth inning to lead the Phoenix to the victory. Shutt blasted a three-run home run to tie the game at 3-3 before Million added a two-run shot to left field to give Elon a two-run edge it did not relinquish.
Sophomore
Merritt Wilkinson (Western Alamance H.S./Burlington, N.C.) drove in two of the Seahawks' three runs with a two-run single in the fifth inning while junior
Brittanne Gasser (Dominion H.S./Sterling, Va.) added an RBI single earlier in the frame.
Sophomore
Peyton Jordan (Marvin Ridge H.S./Waxhaw, N.C.) took the loss after allowing the go-ahead runs on the home run by Million in the sixth inning. Â
Junior
Kayla Caruso (Harrison H.S./Kennesaw, Ga.) earned the win in the circle in relief for the Phoenix after throwing two scoreless innings. While upping her record to 10-4, Caruso allowed just two hits while striking out one UNCW hitter.
Inside the Box Score: The teams were a combined 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position … Senior
Chelsea White (East Rowan H.S./Salisbury, N.C.), who started in the circle for Elon, retired the first 12 UNCW hitters she faced … UNCW was 3-for-9 at the plate with two outs while Elon failed to record a hit in five tries … The teams were a combined 8-for-19 in advancement opportunities. Â
Notes: Elon and Towson clinched the final two spots in the CAA Tournament field, joining James Madison and Hofstra in the tournament … Sophomore
Lauren Moore (The Oakwood School/Farmville, N.C.) extended her streak of reaching base safely to eight consecutive games while Wilkinson has reached base safely in six straight games … UNCW is now 11-3 this season when scoring first … Friday's game also marked the first time this year UNCW has lost when leading after five innings (15-1).
What's On Deck for UNCW: The Seahawks and the Phoenix will complete the suspended game from Friday night beginning at 11:30 a.m. before finishing the series with the regularly scheduled contest at approximately 1:00 p.m.
