Elon Club Sports Update: March 6-7
Women’s Rugby Late Try Secures Victory Over Wake
Women’s Rugby
Elon vs. Wake Forest, 17-10 (Win)
The Women’s Rugby team won this weekend against Wake Forest. It was a close game, but Elon managed to get 3 tries and 1 kick, thanks to some great breakaways. They played well as a team and their last try was in the last ten minutes of the game. Their next games will be at the Cherry Blossom tournament, starting April 7th.
Men’s Lacrosse
Elon vs. Coastal Carolina, 16-5 (Win)
Elon Men’s Lacrosse had a hard-earned victory last Saturday against Coastal Carolina on their home field at Elon. The game had been tied until halfway through the second quarter, when Elon put in 12 goals to secure a win. Dan Johnson was a major factor in this win with 6 goals and 2 assists, followed by Zach Stone with 3 goals and 1 assist. The Men’s Lacrosse team’s next game is at Davidson on March 16.
Women’s Lacrosse
Elon vs. NC State, 18-7 (Win)
Women’s Lacrosse also started off the weekend with a big win against NC State. In what might be their last game of the season, they struggled a bit with the first half, but after halftime, they stepped up their level of play and won the game. Madeline Cragin lead the team in goals with 5 plus 1 assist, followed by Kaitlyn Schultz with 3 goals, 2 assists, and Kate Sachs with 3 goals.
Triathlon
Elon at WakeMed Cary Distance Festival
The Elon Triathlon Club had 5 participating runners in both the 5k and 10k races this weekend, with 3 of the 5 club members winning in their respective age group. 5k participants were Haley Pope, Caitlyn Byrne, and Chelsey Anglin. Pope ran a 26:46, putting her in 38th of 151 runners, Byrne ran a 22:34, not only placing her at 13th overall, but also putting her first of 9 runners in the female 13-19 year old age group. Anglin ran a 34:33, putting her in 107th place overall. In the 10k race (6.2 miles), Stephen Rusterholz ran a 40:26, placing him at 28th of 261 runners and 4th of 19 in the male 20-29 year old age group, and Laura Brentrup ran a 42:52, placing her at 28th out of 261, and first of the 24 runners in the 20-29 year old age group. The next race will be April 10th at Wake Forest for the Beaverdam Olympic Distance Triathlon.
Baseball
Elon vs. NC State, L 14-3
Elon vs. NC State, L 4-3
Elon vs. NC State, L 7-5
On Saturday the Elon baseball team faced off against a talented NC state team in what turned out to be a lopsided loss due to some costly errors in the field. Elon started strong but the wheels came off during a 6-run 4th inning due to sloppy defense. None of the 14 runs NC State scored throughout the game were earned as Elon, made several costly errors all over the diamond. Starting pitcher Nolan Elingburg (Jr.) threw 5 1/3 great innings despite surrendering 8 of the unearned runs. Elon managed just three hits all game but loaded the bases with no outs in the 3rd inning, eventually plating three runs on a bases-loaded walk, a fielder’s choice by and an RBI single by catcher Andy Sturm (Sr.).
On Sunday, Elon fought hard to push game 1 of a seven inning doubleheader to extra innings but eventually lost on a walk off home run to the number three hitter giving the rival NC State the victory. Starter Derrick Burnett (So.) settled down after a shaky start to give Elon a four solid innings, surrendering just a single earned run and striking out four. Elon tied the game at 3 a piece in the top of the 5th when designated hitter Andy Sturm (Sr.) knocked in center fielder Derek DeAndrade (Sr.) on a RBI single. DeAndrade had led off the inning by smashing a line drive triple to left field. In his club baseball conference season debut, crafty lefty Peter Gallagher (Fr.) combined with returning closer Jay Struck (So.) for five scoreless innings of relief but not being able to capitalize late proved to be the deciding factor in handing Elon its second loss of the weekend.
In its second game of the doubleheader on Sunday, Elon came out of the gates strong and developed a healthy lead, thanks to first baseman Jamie Hawkins (Sr.) three run homer but NC State answered with one of their own en route to a 7-5 victory for NC state to complete a series sweep. Left-handed pitcher Aaron Moger (So.) and right-handed pitcher Derek DeAndrade (Sr.) both pitched better than their individual statistics might suggest, keeping Elon in the game and giving the offense an opportunity to take the series finale. After a hard fought series, Elon will resume its practice schedule in preparation for the Spring Training Showcase in Tampa FL, where roughly half of the team will compete along with four other teams from across the nation to further improve its reputation within the NCBA.
– Katie Whittaker and Will Dzugan
Club Sports Staff