Elon Softball Phoenix’s Rally Falls Short in Setback to Northern Illinois

ELON, N.C. – Despite a furious rally in the top of the fourth to tie the game after a 6-0 deficit, the Elon University softball team could not continue the momentum as the Phoenix fell to Northern Illinois, 13-9, on Thursday evening, March 17, at the UNCG Blue and Gold Challenge.

Elon (13-12) saw its five-game win streak snapped at the hands of the Huskies (15-7), who held the Phoenix to eight hits. Erica Serafini, Emily Roper and Carey Million had two hits each to lead the Phoenix offense while Roper also had a team-high three RBI. Roper and Kara Shutt also had a homer in the contest.

Abby Barker (4-5) took the loss in the circle for Elon and was one of three pitchers that toed the rubber for the Phoenix.

The Rundown: NIU took a 4-0 lead after the first with most of the runs coming off the bat of Emily Naegele who hit a three-run home run to left center in the bottom half of the frame. The Huskies added a run in each the second and third innings and took a 6-0 advantage going to the top of the fourth.

Elon knotted the game in the top of the fourth. Roper blasted a two-run double to right center and scored herself after a single to center by Million. A couple of miscues on the Huskies led to the Phoenix tying the game at 6-6 and swinging the momentum back its way heading to the bottom half.

NIU answered however in the bottom half of the fourth. Naegele homered for the second time in the contest on a two-run shot to right field. That gave the Huskies an 8-6 advantage and a lead they never relinquished.

Home runs by Roper and Shutt helped the Phoenix cut into the Huskies’ lead, but the Phoenix could not slow down NIU’s offense as the game ended with the score 13-9.

On Deck
Elon closes out its stay at the Blue and Gold Challenge with a contest against George Washington on Friday, March 18. That game begins at 7:30 p.m.