Elon Staves Off Delaware, 3-2; Set to Face Campbell for CAA Championship
Dylan Smith
CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | LIVE STATS | WATCH (FloCollege)
BOX SCORE | HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTO GALLERY
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – For just the third time in program history, Elon (30-19) will play in the CAA Championship game after taking down top-seeded Delaware, 3-2, in the semifinals from Amanda Littlejohn Stadium.
The Phoenix and Campbell (37-18) will square off for the second time in this year’s CAA Softball Championship, with the Camels earning a 6-2 victory in Friday’s first semifinal. First pitch from Buies Creek, N.C., is slated for 12 p.m. on FloCollege.
Senior third baseman
Allee Seering shined with a multi-hit contest, going 2-for-3 at the dish with an RBI and a run scored. Fellow corner infielder
Gabi Schaal delivered a two-run double in the contest. Starter
Meredith Wells tossed five innings and struck out three, while not allowing an earned run in the win.
Elon’s Wells and Delaware’s
Billie Kerwood exchanged scoreless innings of work through the third frame. The latter retired nine of the first 10 batters she faced.
The Phoenix tagged the CAA Pitcher of the Year with a two-spot in the top of the fourth. Seering found herself on second base to open the frame with a single and advanced on a wild pitch. Center fielder Kaitlyn Wells moved her over to third after turning on a 0-2 pitch and sending it into left field. Schaal found the alley in left-center and laced a two-run double for Elon’s 2-0 edge.
Seering jumped into the spotlight again in the following frame, bringing
Reagan Hartley around to score on an RBI single to right field and bumping the advantage to three.
Delaware (38-16) broke through in the bottom of the sixth, pulling to within one, 3-2.
Ryleigh Thomas smacked a double to right field before
Sorella Gallucci ripped a single the same way to put runners on first and third with no outs. The duo advanced on a passed ball and halted the shutout. Two batters later,
Kristen Luzon fouled off five straight pitches before firing an RBI single through the left side to bring the Blue Hens closer to a tie.
Anna Dew, who came on in relief for Elon in the sixth, picked up her second save of the season. The sophomore reliever retired the side in order in the seventh inning, popping up the final batter to push the Phoenix into the championship game.
Wednesday, May 7
Game 1:
No. 4 Campbell 13, No. 5 Stony Brook 7
Game 2:
No. 3 Charleston 5, No. 6 Hofstra 2
Game 3:
No. 6 Hofstra 7, No. 5 Stony Brook 2
Thursday, May 8
Game 4:
No. 4 Campbell 3, No. 1 Delaware 2 (9 inn.)
Game 5:
No. 2 Elon 4, No. 3 Charleston 3
Game 6:
No. 6 Hofstra 3, No. 3 Charleston 0
Friday, May 9
Game 7:
No. 4 Campbell 6, No. 2 Elon 2
Game 8:
No. 1 Delaware 7, No. 6 Hofstra 5
Game 9:
No. 2 Elon 3, No. 1 Delaware 2
Saturday, May 10
Game 10: No. 4 Campbell vs. No. 2 Elon - 12 p.m.
Game 11: If Necessary - 2:30 p.m.
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