The Phoenix softball team used momentum gained last week to deliver a solid performance against the Mountaineers of Appalachian State University on April 17 at East Field. The Phoenix won game one by a score of 4-1, then shut out the Mountaineers in game two 9-0. The Phoenix, with a record of 15-18-1, are hoping to keep their winning ways going as the season draws to a close.

In game one, the Phoenix offense provided pitcher Jennifer Lamb with more than enough fire power to capture her fifth win of the season. The offense began with Dana Richardson’s single into right field that scored teammate Danielle Concepcion. Later in the inning Jen Massey hit a double to center to give the Phoenix a 2-0 lead by scoring Richardson.

The offense kept going in the third inning with Jenny Gustin leading things off with a double down the left field line. Concepcion then grabbed her second hit of the game with a double that would score Gustin and extend the Phoenix lead to 3-0.

The Phoenix grabbed a 4-0 lead in the fifth off a Gustin single that would score pinch-runner Suzanne Speed.

Lamb pitched the complete game for the Phoenix, allowing five hits and an unearned run.

In game two the Phoenix kept the bats hot, wasting no time jumping in front. Hits from Jessica Swearengin, Gustin and Concepcion gave the Phoenix a 2-0 advantage. The Phoenix then exploded in the third inning with four runs with hits by Gustin, Notaro and Melton, which were then capped off by Jamie Dupont’s sixth homer of the year. The Phoenix would add three more runs in the fifth to solidify the 9-0 victory.

Lauren Christie earned her first collegiate victory, coming off great pitching in the University of North Carolina game. Christie held the Mountaineers to only two hits and gave up no runs on the day.

The Phoenix look to keep their winning ways as they head into a road swing to face Conference foe Radford and then Gardner Webb, before returning home to play Liberty and University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

In further softball news, Elon coaches were proud to announce that sophomore Concepcion was named the Big South’s Player of the Week. Concepcion put up outstanding numbers this week against UNC Chapel Hill and Appalachian State. She posted a batting average of .500 (5-10) including a crucial three run home run against the Tar Heels. Concepcion has been solid all season for the Phoenix with a batting average of .296 and the second most RBI’s on the team at 18.