Cougars Split Twin Bill With Elon In CAA Opener
3/22/2015 1:29:00 AM | Softball
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – The College of Charleston softball team opened Colonial Athletic Association play by splitting a twin bill with Elon Saturday afternoon at Patriots Point. CofC came back from being down 5-2 in game 1 by rallying to a 6-5 victory. Elon responded with a 4-3 victory in game two.
Senior Mackenzie Maples (Corona, Calif.) paced the Cougars at the plate by going 4-7 with five RBIs, three runs scored, and her fourth homer of the season over the course of both games. Samantha Martin (Tallahassee, Fla.) was dominant throughout her complete game in game two, striking out four and scattering six hits. Martin would give up four runs in the first inning but none of the runs were earned.
“Sam Martin threw really well and Mackenzie Maples had a great afternoon, but it's disappointing to not win two on our field today,” Head Coach Linda Kalafatis said. “Elon is a good addition to our league and they have some really good younger players. Each team was able to take advantage of each other's mistakes in the two games. Tomorrow will be an important day with the series on the line.”
The Cougars (16-13, 1-1 CAA) will look to take the series Sunday, March 22 with a single game at 11 a.m. at Patriots Point. Live stats will be available at CofCstats.com.
Game 1: College of Charleston 6, Elon 5 | Box Score
Senior Hope Klicker earned her eighth victory of the season despite giving up five runs off four hits in the second inning. Klicker and Samantha Martin would combine to not give up a hit over six innings with Elon doing all of their damage in the second.
The Cougars jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after Taylor DuPree led off the game with a walk followed by a Mackenzie Maples (4) homer to right field.
Elon would plate two runs off of back-to-back RBI doubles by Carey Million and Sarah Little. A third double by Hannah Olson and sacrifice fly by Alaina Hall would give the Phoenix a 5-2 lead heading into the third.
The College would begin their comeback by answering in the bottom half of the second. After a walk by Pedigo and back-to-back infield singles from Bratcher and DuPree, Mackenzie Maples would bring in her third RBI on a fielder's choice to cut the Phoenix lead 5-3.
Pedigo would begin another Cougar scoring effort with her second walk of the game followed by Bratcher reaching base on an error. Pinch runner Morganne Parker would score from second on a single through the right side by Mackenzie Maples. Junior Rebecca Mueller would tie the game, 5-5, the next at bat with a single of her own scoring Bratcher.
CofC would take the 6-5 lead after Mueller got caught in a run down trying to steal second but Maples would score before the tag was made to complete the comeback. Samantha Martin would enter the game in the sixth inning for Klicker and would not allow a hit, closing the game out for her second save of the season.
Game 2: Elon 4, College of Charleston 3 | Box Score
Elon would strike first in game two, scoring four unearned runs on two hits and a costly Cougar error in the top of the first. Samantha Martin did not give up more than one hit in any inning besides the first.
The Cougars began a second comeback effort in the bottom of the second after a single by Padilla, double by Chandler Frisbie, and walk by Pedigo would load the bases for Taylor DuPree. A single down the left field line by DuPree would exit starter Kayla Caruso after 1.1 innings. A fielder's choice by Mackenzie Maples would cut the Elon lead to 4-2.
CofC would finish the game going 1-11 with runners in scoring position. Chelsea White (4-0) would throw five and 2/3 innings of shutout ball on three hits despite giving up an unearned run in bottom of the seventh inning.
Visit CofCsports.com or follow us on twitter @CofCSoftball and Instagram @CofC_Softball for all pertinent updates.
