Elon Softball Falls at Delaware in Series Finale

NEWARK, Del. – The Elon University softball team saw its 2018 season end today, May 5, as the Phoenix fell to Delaware, 2-1, to conclude a Colonial Athletic Association series at the Delaware Softball Diamond.

BOX SCORE

The Phoenix fell to 24-28 overall on the year and finished in the CAA at 7-14. Elon needed one win versus the Blue Hens (18-31, 8-13 CAA) to clinch a CAA Tournament berth going into the weekend, but could not find that evasive victory as Delaware took the series in a sweep. It’s the first official series victory for the Blue Hens over the Phoenix since Elon joined the CAA in 2015.

At the Plate: Elon outhit the Blue Hens, 6-4, but much like in the opening game of the series could not find many clutch hits in the contest…Freshman Katrina Martin was 2-for-3 at the plate while Erica Serafini drove in the lone run for the Phoenix…Elon left 10 baserunners stranded compared to seven for the Blue Hens.

In the Circle: Abby Barker (7-9) took to tough luck loss for the Phoenix after pitching a complete game…She surrendered two runs off four hits and struck out four batters.

The Rundown
The lone scoring of the game came in the first two innings. Delaware answered first in the bottom of the opening frame. The Blue Hens led off with a single and stole second to move into immediate scoring position. Another single place the the lead runner at third before another stolen base gave Delaware runners in scoring position and no outs. A sacrifice fly to center field plated home a run and gave Delaware an early 1-0 lead.

Elon tied the contest in the top half of the second. The Phoenix reached on a fielding error to open the inning before a Tia Mitchell single advanced a runner to second. The bags became full for the Phoenix after Martin reached off a fielder’s choice with no outs. A line out recorded the first out, but Serafini enabled a runner to score on her sac fly to right field. Elon loaded the bases again after an intentional walk, but Delaware was able to finagle out of the jam with a fly out with the game tied at one-all.

Delaware went back in front in its home half of the second. A single led off the inning for the Blue Hens with the runner making her way around to third with two outs. The Blue Hens plated the go-ahead run later in the inning to move ahead 2-1.

The Phoenix had another chance to score to tie the game or move ahead in the top of the sixth. Elon saw its first two batters retire on a strikeout and a fly out before Martin singled through the right side. Another single gave the Phoenix the tying and go-ahead runs on base before a walk drawn by Serafini loaded the bases for Elon. Delaware however induced the final out on a strikeout to escape the inning unharmed.

Elon placed the tying run in scoring position once again in the top of the seventh. Ally Repko reached on a one-out double to give Elon a runner in scoring position. She would be left stranded as Delaware retired the next two batters to close out the series with the 2-1 victory.