Elon Softball Earns Rubber Game Victory Over Delaware, 8-3

ELON, N.C. – A five spot put up by the Elon University softball team helped the Phoenix to a 8-3 victory over Delaware capping off its Colonial Athletic Association series victory on Sunday, April 14, at Hunt Softball Park.

BOX SCORE

Elon (23-16-1, 7-5 CAA) earned its third CAA series win of the season with the victory over the Blue Hens (18-22, 4-8 CAA). The series win also placed the Phoenix in sole possession of third in the league standings.

At the Plate: Callie Horn and Megan White both went 2-of-4 at the plate and combined to drive in five runs for the maroon and gold. Lauryn Clarke also added a pair of RBI for Elon while she, White and Erica Serafini added doubles to their stat lines…Elon ended the day with eight hits and seven runners left on.

In the Circle: Abby Barker (14-6) was credited with the win after coming in relief and pitching 3.1 innings with one hit and two runs allowed…Hailey Jomp started the game for Elon and threw 3.0 innings with five hits and a run allowed…Kenna Quinn also pitched in relief and gave up one hit in two-thirds of an inning.

The Rundown
Elon got out on top in the bottom of the first. Serafini reached on a one-out double, but was in danger of being stranded after the next batter popped up. After Ally Repko drew a walk, White singled up the middle to drive in Serafini and gave the Phoenix the early 1-0 lead.

Delaware tied the contest in the top of the second. Brittney Mendoza led off with a single and eventually moved to second on a grounder. That handed the Blue Hens their second out, but a wild pitch would advance Mendoza to third. The miscue proved to be detrimental to the Phoenix as Delaware hit a single to left, scoring Mendoza and tying the game at 1-1.

The Phoenix got a run back in the bottom of the fourth. White lined a one-out double to right field, where she would be replaced on the base paths by Grace Sherron. Horn came through with a single down the left field line, scoring Sherron and putting Elon back in front, 2-1. Delaware would go with a pitching change as the Phoenix threatened with a runner in scoring position and one out. The switch proved to be effective as the Blue Hens retired the side.

A five-run bottom of the fifth extended the Phoenix’s lead. Morgan Reich led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. A walk and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for Elon, but a fielder’s choice recorded the second out and put the pressure on the Phoenix. Horn started the two-out rally with a two-RBI single to left field followed by Clarke also driving in a pair of runs on a double down the right field line. An RBI single up the middle from Keagan Goldwait added the fifth run of the frame and put the Phoenix ahead 7-1.

White added Elon’s eighth run of the contest in the bottom of the sixth. Reich opened the frame on a hit-by-pitch and stole second to move into scoring position. Serafini joined her on the bases on another hit-by-pitch before a sacrifice bunt advanced the pair into scoring position. Elon loaded the bases after Repko was intentionally walked with White taking her spot in the batter’s box. The freshman hit a grounder to the shortstop, but it was enough for Reich to cross the dish and put the Phoenix ahead 8-1.

Delaware looked to rally in the top of the seventh. After the Blue Hens’ opening batter fouled out, the next two reached on free passes enabling the Phoenix to go with a change in the circle as Quinn came on for Barker. A two-RBI double to right center from Brooke Glanden pulled the Blue Hens within five, 8-3, with still one out and the heart of the lineup due up. Quinn induced the final two outs on a grounder and a pop up to help the Phoenix come away with the 8-3 victory.

On Deck
Elon hosts NC State on Wednesday, April 17, in a midweek matchup. That contest is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start.