GREENSBORO, N.C. – Elon scored in four of the five innings and starter Erin O'Shea limited UNCG to just two hits as the Phoenix downed the Spartans on Sunday, 8-0, at the UNCG Softball Stadium to claim the weekend Southern Conference series.

The teams split Saturday's doubleheader, with UNCG (9-18, 3-3 SoCon) winning game one 5-0 and Elon (16-5, 5-1 SoCon) winning game two 7-5.

Like in Saturday's game-two loss, UNCG fell victim to some inopportune defensive miscues that allowed for four of Sunday's eight runs to be unearned.

Elon got the only run it would need in the top of the first inning on O'Shea's RBI double, but the Spartans gunned down McKenzie Carter at the plate on the play to prevent the damage from being worse.

The Phoenix struck for four more runs in the second to give itself some breathing room, two of which were unearned.

After a walk and an infield single to lead off the inning, Morgan Wright laid down a bunt in attempt to sacrifice the runners over. UNCG third baseman Tatiana Alcala fielded the bunt and fired to third to get the lead runner, but UNCG could not hang on to the throw, loading the bases with no one out.

Lauren Oldham followed with an RBI single and Carleigh Nester drew a bases-loaded walk to force in another run. Tomeka Watson's sacrifice fly to right made it 4-0 and Carter's RBI single made it a five-run advantage.

Elon added a run on the third on Nester's RBI fielder's choice and put the game into mercy-rule territory when two more scored on a UNCG error with two down in the top of the fifth.

UNCG needed a run in the bottom half to prolong the game but stranded Toni MacReynolds at first after her two-out single to center.

O'Shea (9-3) had impressive day in the circle, allowing just three base-runners.

In addition to MacReynold's fifth-inning single, Katelyn Bedwell had UNCG's first safety, a single that dropped into shallow center field to lead off the second. Alex Emeterio was UNCG's only other base-runner, as she drew a two-out walk in the bottom of the third.

Danielle Lafferty was 2-for-3 with two runs scored to pace Elon at the plate.

Cory Mattson (6-10) took the loss, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks in two innings. Freshman Erica Navarette worked the final three innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk.

UNCG steps back out of conference play to host crosstown rival North Carolina A&T for a doubleheader Tuesday at the UNCG Softball Stadium. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

AGATE
Elon 8, UNCG 0 (Mar 18, 2012 at Greensboro, N.C.)
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Elon................ 141 02 -  8  7  0      (16-5, 5-1 SoCon)
UNCG................ 000 00 -  0  2  3      (9-18, 3-3 SoCon)
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Pitchers: Elon - Erin O'Shea and Kaitlyn Piazzolla. UNCG - Cory Mattson; Erica Navarette(3) and
Toni MacReynolds.
Win-Erin O'Shea(9-3)  Loss-Cory Mattson(6-10)  T-1:28  A-140

- UNCG -