GREENSBORO, N.C. – Stephanie Bryden (Orlando, Fla./East River) earned her eighth win of the season in a 3-1 victory over Elon at the UNCG Softball Stadium Wednesday night. The freshman pitcher hurled 6.2 innings allowing one run on seven hits while striking out eight batters. Alicia Bazonski (Sheffiled, Mass./Mount Everett) picked up her first save of the season as she came on to relieve Bryden for the final out with a runner in scoring position. Tory Wright (Potomac Falls, Va./Dominion) hit her fifth home run of the season for the eventual game winning.

It was a quiet first inning on both ends and Bryden quickly slipped into the groove. After striking out the Phoenix's first batter, she got herself in a jam with the bases loaded but escaped unscathed with a fielder's choice and her second strikeout of the inning. In the top of the second Bryden set Elon down in order when she struck out the side.

The Phoenix scored their lone run on a sacrifice fly by Emily Roper in the top of the third inning with bases loaded. The Spartans once again escaped the Phoenix's threat, as Elon would strand a runner at second to end the inning.

UNCG took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth. After a leadoff double by Danielle Vega (Rialto, Calif./Aquinas), Wright hit a two-run homer off the scoreboard in right centerfield for the Spartans to take their first lead of the game.

Allison Geiner (Raleigh, N.C./Middle Creek) added an insurance run when she scored Bryden on a single to center field for the 3-1 UNCG lead.

Wright, Vega, and Bryden were the only two Spartans to record multi-hit games while Lindsay Thomas (Irvine, Calif./Northwood) and Geiner also tallied hits.

Elise Walton was handed the loss for Elon tossing 3.1 innings allowing two runs on six hits while walking one. Walton also struck out four batters.

UNCG now leads the all-time series 38-33-1 and is 8-2 since head coach Janelle Breneman took over the program.

The Spartans improve to 21-11 overall and will return to action Friday, March 25, for a 3 p.m. game against Drexel at the UNCG Softball Stadium. Fans can watch live on the SoCon Digital Network. 

-UNCG-