Box score 

ELON, N.C. – The UNCG softball team used 10 hits and five runs to defeat Elon, 5-1, in game one Friday night at the Hunt Softball Park.  

The Spartans improve to 24-7, 6-3 on season, while the Phoenix falls to 11-18, 1-6 in the SoCon.

Redshirt junior Raeanne Hanks (Rainier, Ore./Rainier Senior) picked up her 13^th win on the season after a complete game with nine strikeouts. Chelsea White took the loss for Elon falling to 2-8 on the season after allowing 10 hits and two earned runs.

Senior Heather Robb (Apex, N.C./Middle Creek) paced the Spartans at the plate with a 3-for-4 effort, including two doubles and two RBI. Freshman Danielle Vega (Rialto, Calif./Aquinas) and Allison Geiner (Raleigh, N.C./Middle Creek) each finished with two hits apiece.

Elon took an early 1-0 lead after Carleigh Nester singled home Sarah Little in the bottom of the Second. Little started the frame with a single to shortstop, Lauren Oldham moved to the runners to first and third after a single to third base. Hanks earned back-to-back strikeouts before Nester lined a single through the hole to plate the first run.

In the top of the third, the Spartans scored two runs after an Elon error and a RBI double from Robb. With two outs, Vega singled up the middle, while freshman Lindsay Thomas (Irvine, Calif./Northwood) walked to put runners on first and second.  Junior Katelyn Bedwell (Surrey, B.C./Elgin Park) reached on an error by the shortstop allowing pinch-runner freshman Chelsea Strandlund (Victoria, B.C./Lambrick Park) to tie the game at 1-1. Robb roped her second double of the game to give UNCG a 2-1 lead.

UNCG added to its lead with a two out RBI single from senior Eileen Horsmon (Dunkirk, Md./Northern) in the top of the fifth. With two outs, Robb reached second base after Elon's third baseman dropped a pop up to extend the inning. Horsmon made the Phoenix pay for the extra out with a single down the first base line to give the Spartans a 3-1 advantage.

The Spartans broke open the game with a two-run sixth inning as Robb picked up her second RBI of the game with a single to left field. Geiner lined a leadoff double to start the frame for UNCG. With one out, Vega singled to right field to put runners on first and third. Thomas reached on a fielder's choice as Geiner scored from third to make it 4-1. Robb worked a nine-pitch at bat to deliver a clutch RBI to give UNCG a 5-1 advantage.

In the seventh, Hanks worked around a walk and an error to end the game on a groundout back to the circle.

UNCG concludes the three-game series with a doubleheader against Elon Saturday, March 30 with game one starting at 1 p.m. at the Hunt Softball Park.

Be sure to follow all updates about the UNCG softball season on www.uncgspartans.com or on twitter @UNCGsports/@UNCGsoftball.