UNCG-Elon Box Score

Chattanooga, TN - The UNC Greensboro softball team fell to Elon, 9-3, in the opening round of the 2004 Southern Conference Softball Tournament, Thursday afternoon, at Frost Stadium.

Elon (32-21-1) jumped on the board first with one run in the opening frame. Jessica Swearengin singled to leadoff the inning before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jenny Gustin. A single by Jamie Dupont advanced Swearengin to third where she would score a fly ball by Megan Borgarrd.

The Phoenix struck again in the second inning for two runs. Christina Melton ledoff with a single. Melton then advanced to third on a single by Dani Concepcion and a walk by Swearengin. With the bases loaded, Concepcion and Melton both scored unearned runs on a fielding error by the Spartan right fielder.

Trailing 3-0, UNCG (30-29) posted two runs in the third inning to climb back into the contest. With two outs in the inning, Christina Montana opened the scoring rally with a double to left center. Jennifer Hubbard then plated Montana with a double to center field. Joni Gomez capped the scoring with an RBI single, scoring Hubbard.

Following a solo home run by Borgarrd in the bottom of the third, UNCG responded with a solo shot to right field by Adriane Audley to pull back within one, 4-3. The Phoenix however tallied three runs on four hits in the fourth inning to take a 7-3 advantage. Melton delivered the big blow in the inning with a two-run single to left center, scoring Dupont and pinch-runner Suzanne Speed.

Elon would tack on an additional two runs in the sixth, as the Phoenix held off the Spartans for the 9-3 victory. Whitney Meeks tossed the first three innings, allowing two runs on four hits, while Meredith Gay worked the final four innings, giving up one run on one hit.

Joni Gomez paced the Spartan offense going 2-for-3 with one RBI. Jennifer Hubbard and Adriane Audley each chipped in with one hit and one RBI. Vanessa Oakes took the loss for UNCG, allowing two earned runs in two innings, while striking out one. Danielle Byrne gave up five runs on eight hits over the final four innings.

UNCG will return to action on Friday, May 14, at 10 am. The Spartans will face the loser of the #1Chattanooga - #8 Appalachian State game, scheduled for Thursday at 6 pm.