ELON, NC Debbie Zeigler's home run in the bottom of the fourth inning proved to be the game winner as Elon defeated UNCG, 2-0 in Southern Conference softball action at Elon's East Field Sunday afternoon.
UNCG (27-35, 7-14 SoCon) was able to hold Elon (27-30, 9-11 SoCon) scoreless through the bottom of the fourth inning when Zeigler hit a home run to give Elon the early 1-0 advantage.
The Spartans were able to put a runner on base in the top of the fifth inning when designated player Brandi Schnute singled to right field. She was able to advance to second base with an Adriane Audley single through center field but both runners were left stranded when the inning ended with a pop out to the shortstop and a fly out to center field.
Elon tallied another score in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ashlee Crewe hit a double to leadoff the inning. She was plated two batters later when shortstop Tracey Dahlen hit a single, extending the Elon lead to 2-0.
UNCG had a chance late in the seventh when Schnute hit a single and advanced on an error by Elon's center fielder but the Spartans couldn't get a run across the plate as Brittany Ausley flied into a double play recording the second and third outs of the inning.
Vanessa Oakes (12-11), who went the distance for the second time this weekend, suffered the loss after allowing two runs on six hits. She issued two walks and had three strikeouts. Schnute paced UNCG's four hit offense. She was 2-for-3 from the plate. Audley and Greenway each also tallied one hit.
Carol Lilley picked up the win for Elon after scattering four hits in 7.0 innings of work. Elon was led by Zeigler who was 2-for-3 from the plate with one RBI and a run scored. Dahlen, Patti Webber, Jaimie Rao, and Crewe also recorded hits for the Phoenix.
The Spartans will return to action May 9th when they open up 2007 Southern Conference Tournament action at UNCG Softball Stadium. For information about the 2007 SoCon Softball Tournament look online at www.uncgspartans.com.
AGATE
Score by Innings R H E
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UNCG................ 000 000 0 - 0 4 0
Elon................ 000 110 X - 2 6 1
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E - JONES. DP - Elon 1. LOB - UNCG 5; Elon 5. 2B - CREWE. HR - ZEIGLER. SH - GOSS. CS - Greenway.
Win - LILLEY (13-11). Loss - Oakes (12-11). Save - None. Umpires - HP: Phil Best 1B: Raymond MacDowell 3B: Arthur Faust Start: 1 pm Time: 2:25 Attendance: 104
