ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team opens its 2016 eight-game fall season on Friday, Sept. 23, as the Phoenix travels to North Carolina for a matchup with the Tar Heels. The contest is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start at the Anderson Softball Stadium.
 
"We look forward to our fall season every year," said Phoenix head coach Kathy Bocock who begins her sixth season with the team. "We can put the players out on the field to see where we are and how we are doing to see where we need to keep working towards. They can play against each other in practices all day, but to go up against other teams brings out a competitive atmosphere to help us get better."

After weeks of individual workouts, conditioning drills and team practices, the Phoenix is eager to return to the diamond beginning with a visit to in-state rival North Carolina. Friday's contest will be the first of two games the Phoenix and the Tar Heels will face against each other during the fall campaign.

"We are very fortunate to play the teams on our schedule in the fall," said Bocock. "All the teams on our schedule are local so we don't have to worry about traveling very far for games. Also, each of those teams are very solid programs that we have a lot of respect for. Playing those programs helps us grow and continue to get better and better."
 
Following the contest at UNC, the Phoenix hosts the Tar Heels at Hunt Softball Park on Oct. 5, then will welcome East Carolina to Elon for a twin bill on Oct. 9. The maroon and gold then heads to Triad rival UNCG on Oct. 12, before squaring up at NC State for a doubleheader two days later. The fall season wraps up with a home contest versus Queens University on Oct. 21.
 
Elon only loses two players to graduation from a squad that played arguably the toughest schedule in program history a season ago. The Phoenix faced four ranked opponents – including No. 1 Florida and No. 6 James Madison – while having eight teams total from its 2016 ledger reach the NCAA Tournament. Elon however finished the season with a 26-25 record including its highest victory ever versus a ranked opponent with a 5-4, 15-inning win over sixth-ranked JMU. The Phoenix also returned to the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament for the second consecutive season.
 
Bocock returns a glut of talent to her lineup from 2016 which includes junior outfielder Kara Shutt. The Greensboro, N.C., native comes off a record-breaking campaign in which she earned first team All-CAA and NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region honors while also setting a new program single-season record with 21 doubles. The maroon and gold also welcomes back three of its four hurlers in the circle from last season including sophomore Elise Walton who received CAA All-Rookie team accolades and junior Kiandra Mitchum who earned CAA All-Tournament Team honors. In addition to the returners, Elon also welcomes four newcomers into the fold for 2017.
 
"We're very excited that the fall season is here," said Bocock. "We can't wait to open up at UNC on Friday and excited to get going."