GREENSBORO (March 29, 2017) – Zadaisha Waddell only gave up three hits from the circle for North Carolina A&T's softball team in the Wednesday afternoon matchup against Elon at Aggie Softball Complex, but Elon squeaked out a run in the third inning to earn a slim 1-0 lead over the Aggies.

The game turned out to be a pitcher's duel between Waddell and Elon starter Kiandra Mitchum. Waddell pitched a complete game, giving up three hits, a run (unearned), one walk with two strikeouts. She retired the Phoenix in order five times during the game.  The Aggies did not have a runner reach base until Nathaly Pacheco's single to left field in the bottom of the fifth inning for the teams only hit of the contest. 

In the field, Jillian Nobles was a key player with five assists from her third base position. Waddell helped herself out with three assists with no errors and Lauren Dunlow had three assists with no errors from second base. It was an error, however, that led to Elon's only run. Jenna Reilly reached second on a throwing error by Nobles and went to third on a groundout by Morgan Reich. Dunlow prevented Reilly from scoring, however, with a strong defensive play.

Hannah Olsen hit a groundball to Dunlow who alertly picked the ball up and fired home to Pacheco, the Aggies catcher, to throw out Reilly as Olsen reached on the fielder's choice. Olsen's grounder should have been the third out, but the inning-opening error left Elon with another opportunity that Aliana Hall took advantage of it by doubling home Olsen for the only run of the game.

Waddell dropped to 6-10 on the season, but her season ERA is an impressive 3.60. Mitchum improved to 11-6.

N.C. A&T returns to MEAC play over the weekend as they travel to Daytona Beach, Fla., for a three-game series against MEAC Southern Division-leading Bethune-Cookman, April 1-2.  The Aggies start with a doubleheader against the Wildcats on Saturday with a 1 p.m. before closing out the series at 12 p.m. on Sunday.