Elon Softball Downed by Hofstra in Twin Bill

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Elon University had a tough outing in its Colonial Athletic Association doubleheader on Sunday, April 23, falling in both contests to Hofstra, with the Phoenix falling 3-0 in game one and suffering an 8-0 setback in the finale at Bill Edwards Stadium.

Game 1 Box | Game 2 Box

The losses snapped the Phoenix’s (29-17, 7-7 CAA) three-game winning streak while dropping the maroon and gold from fourth to fifth in the standings to the Pride (21-17, 9-4 CAA). Hofstra moved up to second in the league standings with two CAA weekends to go in the regular season.

Game One: Hofstra 3, Elon 0
The Rundown: Elon had the best opening chance to put runs on the board in the top of the first. The Phoenix had its first two leadoff batters reach on walks, but the Pride retired the next three batters to leave two stranded for the maroon and gold.

Hofstra had the first run of the game cross the dish in the bottom of the fourth. Nikki Michalowski led off the inning with a double to left center and advanced to third on a one-out wild pitch. A bloop single into shallow right by Megan Patierno scored Michalowski to give the Pride a 1-0 lead. Hofstra loaded the bags with two outs in the frame, but the Phoenix was able to escape the jam with a pick off at third.

The Pride increased its advantage thanks to a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth. Sarah Edwards blasted two-out jack over the left center wall to put the Pride ahead 3-0.

Elon could not answer in the top of the seventh as the Phoenix was no-hit for the first time this season and fell to the Pride, 3-0.

At the Plate: Elon was no-hit for the first time since facing James Madison on April 26, 2015…Hannah Olson and Alaina Hall both drew walks for the Phoenix to give Elon base runners in the game.

In the Circle: Kiandra Mitchum (15-10) took the loss for the Phoenix after pitching a complete game…The lefty gave up six hits, three runs, with a pair of walks…She also struck out five batters, moving into sole possession of second-place for the most strikeouts in a single-season in school history with 159…Hofstra’s Sarah Cornell tossed the Pride’s first no-hitter since 2015 as the rookie struck out nine batters and walked two.

Game Two: Hofstra 8, Elon 0 (5)
The Rundown: Hofstra put up a three-spot in the bottom of the first. A stolen base and a Phoenix throwing error helped the Pride get a runner at third with one out. A double from Brittany Allocca scored the first run of the game before she crossed the dish on a sacrifice fly from Lacey Clark. A single up the middle added another run for Hofstra as the Phoenix went into a 3-0 deficit after the first.

The Pride plated a run in the second and third frames before adding three more in the bottom of the fourth. A wild pitch, a sacrifice fly and a RBI single added insurance runs for the Pride as Hofstra went up 8-0 to close out the fourth.

Elon managed to load the bases in the top of the fifth with one out in the hopes of providing a furious rally. Emily Roper led off with a single and was replaced on the bases by Nicole Graber. She moved to second after a one-out walk before advancing to third on a single by Hall. The Phoenix would leave the bags full as a fielder’s choice and a putout ended the game via run-rule, 8-0 after five.

At the Plate: Elon had six base hits in the game, but left seven base runners on…Olson was 2-for-2 on the day with a double to lead Elon in the batter’s box…Hall (1-for-3), Shutt (1-for-3), Kristin Hoover (1-for-2) and Roper (1-for-2) all recorded a hit…Hall moved into a tie for second all-time in school history in career hits with her 229th.

In the Circle: Kenna Quinn took the loss for the Phoenix (11-5) after she pitched 3.2 innings and gave up nine hits and eight runs, seven earned, while walking two.

On Deck: The Phoenix returns home to host North Carolina A&T in its final nonconference game of the season on Tuesday, April 25. That game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start.