HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Elon University softball team was swept in its Colonial Athletic Association doubleheader versus Hofstra on Saturday, April 18. The Phoenix fell in game one, 4-1, before suffering a 4-0 setback to the Pride in the nightcap at the Hofstra Softball Stadium.
Elon (25-15, 7-7 CAA) only had six hits between the two contests as the Pride (25-10, 11-2 CAA) strengthens its place in the league standings. Both teams will meet again tomorrow, April 19, for the series finale at 2 p.m.
Game 1: Hofstra 4, Elon 1
The Rundown: The Pride did most of its damage in the second and third innings of the opening game. Hofstra got on the board in the bottom of the third inning on a solo home run to left center by Megan Patierno to take a 1-0 lead. The Pride then plated three more runs in the home half of the third. A RBI double by Brielle Pietrafesa opened the scoring in the frame before a two-RBI single by Erin Trippi put the Phoenix in a 4-0 hole.
Hannah Olson plated the Phoenix’s lone run of the contest in the top of the sixth on a solo homer to left field. That would be Elon’s last hit of the opening contest as the maroon and gold would fall to the Pride, 4-1.
Kiandra Mitchum (8-7) suffered the loss for Elon after going 2.1 innings with five hits and four runs given up. Caitlin O’Shea threw 3.2 innings in relief and allowed only one hit and no runs with three strikeouts.
Inside the Box Score: The Phoenix had only three hits on the day while suffering 10 strikeouts…Alaina Hall led the way with a 2-for-3 performance and a double…Elon drew its CAA-leading 45th hit-by-pitch of the year with Carey Million receiving her fourth of the season in the second.
Game 2: Hofstra, Elon
The Rundown: Much like the opening game, Hofstra plated most of its runs in just two innings. In the first frame, the Pride earned its first run of the day on a bases loaded walk before a RBI single put Hofstra up 2-0. A two-run home run in the bottom of the second gave the Pride a 4-0 advantage that would prove too much for the Phoenix to overcome.
O’Shea (2-3) drew the start in game two and received the loss after going only 0.2 innings in the circle and gave up three hits and a pair of runs. Kayla Caruso pitched effectively in relief going 5.1 innings with five hits and a pair of runs allowed.
Inside the Box Score: Elon had three only three hits in the second game, but lowered its strikeout total to three…Hofstra left eight runners on base compared to five for the Phoenix…Emily Roper drew her CAA-leading 15th hit-by-pitch during the contest.