Softball Recap: Hough Starts Season with Win at Home

Hough gave their fans exactly what they wanted out of a home opener on Tuesday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand the Cox Mill Chargers an 11-0 shutout. The Huskies have seen this before: they got the W the last time they saw the Chargers, too.

Payton Elwell

Hits (Career)

02/25/25 vs Cox Mill	2
05/02/24 vs Hopewell	1
04/30/24 vs North Mecklenburg	1
04/24/24 vs Providence	1
04/23/24 vs South Mecklenburg	1

Payton Elwell made a big impact no matter where she played. She didn't allow a single earned run while striking out seven over five innings pitched. Elwell was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with four RBI and one double. The dominant performance also gave her a new career-high in hits (two).

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Olivia Bechtel, who scored two runs while going 1-for-1. Those two runs gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Seanna Shivers, who scored two runs while going 1-for-2.

Hough hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now struck out at most five strikeouts in four consecutive contests dating back to last season.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Hough will host Porter Ridge at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. As for Cox Mill, they will look to take advantage of their home field for the first time this season as they take on Northwest Cabarrus at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Cox Mill has now lost eight straight dating back to last season, leaving the team hunting for their first win since April 12.