ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team is set to open its 2025 campaign with the first of its two home tournaments, the Elon Softball Classic, on Thursday, Feb. 6 as the Phoenix hosts Ohio at Hunt Softball Park at 1:30 p.m.
The 13-game tournament will run from Thursday, Feb. 6 to Sunday, Feb. 9 with Elon slated to play five games against the field of Ohio, UConn, Ohio State, NC Central and UNCG.
SCHEDULE (Elon games only) • Elon vs. Ohio, Thursday, Feb. 6 at 1:30 p.m. • Elon vs. UConn, Friday, Feb. 7 at 2:30 p.m. • Elon vs. Ohio State, Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2:30 p.m. • Elon vs. NC Central, Saturday, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. • Elon vs. UNCG, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2:30 p.m.
FOLLOW THE PHOENIX • Elon's home games are free admission to the public at Hunt Softball Park. • Live stats will be available for the tournament by going to the team's schedule page at elonphoenix.com. • All Elon games at the tournament will stream on FloCollege (FloSoftball) via a paid subscription. • For more information on the Phoenix, follow the program's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram at @elonsoftball.
LAST TIME THEY MET Ohio: Elon and Ohio will meet for the seventh time on the softball diamond on Thursday and the first meeting since 2008. The series is deadlocked at 3-3 with all games coming in the state of North Carolina and three at Elon. The Phoenix won the most recent matchup, 8-1, on the final day of the Phoenix Classic on March 2, 2008. UConn: The Phoenix and the Huskies are also tied in their all-time series with a 2-2 ledger. The two programs played each other last season at the NC State-hosted Marucci Classic with UConn handing Elon a 9-0 setback. Ohio State: The Buckeyes will face the Phoenix for the second time all-time on Saturday and their first meeting since 2013. Ohio State took a 10-2 decision over the maroon and gold at the Red and Black Showcase in Athens, Ga., in the lone matchup between the two schools. NC Central: A common opponent on the Phoenix's schedule since 2011, NC Central is slated to play Elon for the 20th time this weekend. The Phoenix is a perfect 19-0 against the Eagles all time with the Elon earning a 13-0 decision last season in the lone contest of the year between the two intrastate rivals. The two teams will also meet again later in the regular season on March 18. UNCG: The Spartans are Elon's most-faced opponent during its fastpitch era (since 1990), with the Piedmont Triad rivals seeing each other 100 times going into the weekend. UNCG leads the all-time series, 57-42-1, and has won six straight over the Phoenix. Both teams will face each other again later in the year on March 1-2 in a home-and-home matchup.
PRESEASON PRAISE • Elon had four members of its program recognized on the 2025 Preseason All-CAA Softball Team as announced by the league office on Jan. 31. Fifth-year Gabi Schaal, senior McKenna McCard and junior Mauri Murray were selected to the Preseason All-CAA Team in their respective positions. Senior Allee Seering was an honorable mention nod. • Schaal was a Second Team All-CAA choice last season as the Lakeland, Fla, native led the CAA in home runs with 11 and finished third in the league with 38 RBI. She finished in the top 10 of the CAA in slugging percentage (.556). • Murray was selected to the All-CAA First Team after leading the team in batting average (.361) and slugging percentage (.583). The Marvin, N.C., native notched 52 hits in 144 at-bats while scoring 32 runs with eight homers and 33 RBI while ranking in the top-10 of the CAA in several categories. She also earned NFCA Mid-Atlantic Third Team All-Region honors. • McCard served as the Phoenix's ace in the circle, leading the Phoenix in appearances (30), starts (21), complete games (11) and innings pitched (122.0). The Ashburn, Ga., native posted a 2.52 ERA while also striking out a team-high 85 batters while posting four shutouts on the season. • Seering was named to the All-CAA Second Team during her junior campaign last season. The Waxhaw, N.C., native led the Phoenix with 40 RBI and 15 stolen bases and was second on the squad in doubles (12) and hits (49).
RETURNING PHOENIX • Outside of the four preseason All-CAA honorees, the Phoenix returns several key players in 2025, including starters Greta Hessenthaler (second base), Kaitlyn Wells (outfield) and Reagan Hartley (outfield). Hessenthaler was a CAA All-Rookie team choice last season while Wells was third on the team with six home runs. Hartley finished third on the program with 11 stolen bases. • In the circle, Elon returns 100 percent of its pitching staff last season. Along with McCard, the Phoenix welcomes back the arms of Taylor Cherry, Meredith Wells, Isley Duggins, Michael Hobson, Kyra Leonard, Anna Dew and Lia Miller.
CALL HER COACH CAR • Elon added a familiar face to its coaching staff this summer as Carley Davis begins her first season as an assistant coach on head coach Kathy Bocock's staff in 2025. • Davis concluded her career with the Phoenix last spring, spending most of her time as a starter behind the plate. She appeared in 197 career games with 194 starts for the maroon and gold and was a two-time All-CAA Second Team selection. A native of Bridgewater, Va., Davis finished her career as Elon's all-time Division I leader in runners caught stealing with 37. This past season, Davis hit a career-best .312 with four homers and 24 RBI. • Along with Davis, Bocock also made another staff change with the elevation of Sophia Devesa to a full-time assistant and recruiting coordinator after Devesa spent her first season as a volunteer for the Phoenix in 2024. Devesa was part of a staff that helped mentor the Phoenix batters to hit .270 last season, Elon's highest batting average since 2018. The Phoenix's offense was also second in the CAA in runs scored with 252 while its 34 home runs were a league best.
2024 RECAP • Elon finished last season with a 23-29 ledger and a 17-10 mark during CAA play. The 17 league wins mark the most for the program since joining the league as the Phoenix reached the CAA Softball Championships for the fifth straight season (excluding the canceled 2020 COVID-19 season). • Among the notable accomplishments for the Phoenix last season included Elon head coach Kathy Bocock earning her 300th career win with the program. Bocock, who is the Phoenix's all-time career wins leader, earned the milestone versus North Dakota State at the Marucci Classic. • The Phoenix had five players received All-CAA recognition last season. Sophomore Mauri Murray received All-CAA First Team laurels while fifth-year Carley Davis, redshirt junior Gabi Schaal and junior Allee Seering were placed on the league's Second Team. Freshman Greta Hessenthaler rounded out the All-CAA Phoenix honorees with her spot in the All-Rookie Team. • Schaal also received some hardware for her work both on and off the field as she was named the softball recipient of the 2023-24 Coastal Athletic Association's Leadership and Sport Excellence Award. • Megan Grant became the program's all-time career leader in walks at the Division I level. The Vinton, Va., native retired after last season with 125 career free passes to her name.
ON DECK • Elon hosts Virginia Tech on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Opening pitch between the Phoenix and the Hokies is scheduled for 4 p.m. and will stream on FloCollege (FloSoftball).
-- ELON --