ELON, North Carolina – Seniors
Kali Jones and
Anna Hessenthaler combined to record five hits and drive in four runs as UNCW split a Colonial Athletic Association softball doubleheader against Elon at Hunt Softball Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Seahawks, who moved to 21-16 overall and 3-3 in the CAA, won the first game by a 6-3 margin before dropping the nightcap with a 1-0 setback. Elon, meanwhile, ran its record to 19-14-1 overall with a 3-3 mark against league foes.
Jones went 3-for-5 in the twinbill with a double and a run batted in while Hessenthaler added two hits with three RBI. Four other Seahawks each registered a hit in the doubleheader.
Senior
Laurel Koontz earned the win in the circle during the first game after pitching 6.0 innings in relief. Koontz, who upped her record to 4-0, allowed one unearned run on three hits while striking out four Elon hitters.
How It Happened – Game 1: The Seahawks surged to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning. Senior
Lacey Fox gave UNCW a 1-0 lead with a double to right center before freshman
Jada Santiago's sacrifice fly moved the margin to 2-0. Hessenthaler extended the advantage to 4-0 with a two-run single to center field. Elon scored a run in each of the first two innings before UNCW added two insurance runs in the seventh inning.
How It Happened – Game 2: Sophomore Ally Repko's single through the left side in the first inning drove in the game's only run for the Phoenix. Meanwhile, redshirt junior Abby Barker surrendered just one hit in the circle with three strikeouts in a complete-game effort for Elon.
Up Next: The Seahawks finish their brief five-game road swing on Tuesday, Apr. 2, with a 6 p.m. non-conference contest at Coastal Carolina.
