Charlotte Earns Doubleheader Sweep Over Elon
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Becky Matthews hit a walk-off three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of game two to help the Charlotte 49ers sweep the Elon Phoenix in a doubleheader Tuesday night at the Phillips Softball Complex. Charlotte won the first game 4-3, then won game two 6-3 in nine innings. Charlotte improves to 30-21 overall while Elon falls to 25-29.
In the first game, Elon got on the board first in the top of the first inning, getting an RBI single from Patti Weber for a 1-0 lead.
Charlotte answered in the bottom of the inning, scoring all four of their runs. The Niners would load the bases with two outs when Lauren Schmitz delivered with a two-run single to left. Kaycie Jones followed that with another two-run single to give Charlotte a 4-1 lead.
Elon responded in the top of the second when Brandi Jones scored on a fielding error to cut the Charlotte lead to two.
The Phoenix added one more run in the sixth on a solo home run from Ashlee Crewe to cut the lead to 4-3.
Kristen Bowen was able to shut down Elon in the seventh to improve to 13-11 overall. She went the distance, giving up two earned runs on six hits while striking out five. Carol Lilley took the loss, falling to 11-11 on the year, after tossing six innings and giving up four runs on eight hits.
Schmitz led the way for the Niners from the plate, going 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. Jones was also one-for-three with two RBI, as eight different Niners collected a hit.
Crewe led Elon's offense, going 2-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI.
In game two, Elon once again got the scoring started in the top of the first when Tracey Dahlen scored on a passed ball.
Charlotte responded in the bottom of the inning when Evan Miller scored on an RBI double from Cee Brooks to tie the game at 1-1.
Elon regained the lead in the third on a sacrifice fly from Jaimie Rao. The Phoenix added another run in the inning on an fielder's choice from Laurin Smith for a 3-1 lead.
Charlotte cut into the lead in the fourth inning when Matthews scored on an fielder's choice making it 3-2.
The Niners entered the seventh inning trailing by one. Kristi Killough came up with the bases empty and two outs. She delivered with a line drive double off the right field fence. Brittany Cantrell came in to pinch run, and scored on an RBI single from Matthews that went off the glove of the Elon second baseman and into right field.
Matthews struck again two innings later, in the bottom of the ninth. Malene led off the inning with a single, then went to second on a sacrifice from Miller. Killough then walked to put two runners on with just one out. Matthews then drove the ball out to left, off the top of the fence for her fourth hit of the night and second home run of the season, giving Charlotte a dramatic 6-3 win.
Christy Murray got the win, going all nine innings allowing three unearned runs on just four hits while striking out eight.
Meredith Gay took the loss for Elon, giving up six earned runs on 13 hits while striking out four as she fell to 2-2 on the year.
Matthews was the offensive leader for the Niners, going 4-for-4 with a homer, fourRBI and two runs scored. Malene was 3-for-5 the night with a run scored.
Paige Goss led Elon from the plate, going 2-for-4 with one run scored.
Elon returns to action on Saturday, May 5 in a doubleheader with UNC Greensboro at 1 p.m. at East Field.