ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team earned a pair of nail-biting victories on Saturday, March 4, on the second day of the Elon Softball Tournament. The Phoenix defeated Wagner, 3-2, in walk-off fashion in its first game of the day before hanging on late to beat Iona, 7-6, in the nightcap at Hunt Softball Park.
Wagner Box Score | Iona Box Score
The Phoenix (10-6) has now won three straight while improving its home ledger to 10-1 this season. The Seahawks fell to 0-4 on the year in a rematch from the opening day of the tournament versus Elon while Iona went to 3-4 this season.
Both Alaina Hall and Kristin Hoover had three hits between the two games with Hall going 3-for-4 and Hoover hitting 3-for-5. Hoover also had three RBI on the day including the walk-off double in the Phoenix’s first game versus Wagner.
Kiandra Mitchum was instrumental in both wins for the Phoenix in the circle, earning the win versus Wagner to improve to 4-3 on the year. She later received the save versus Iona, hers and the team’s first of the year.
Game One: Elon 3, Wagner 2
The Rundown: The Phoenix put up a two-spot in the bottom of the opening frame. With two outs, Elon plated the first run of the contest as Erica Serafini scored after Carey Million reached on a fielding error by the right fielder. Million advanced to third on the play and scored off Hoover’s RBI single to left field to put Elon ahead 2-0.
Wagner would answer back in the top of the third with a solo leadoff home run to left field by Christina Harkins to pull within one, 2-1. The Seahawks would eventually tie the game at two-all in the top half of the fifth as Karen Prihoda’s RBI single to left field drove in Erica Krumbine, who reached earlier on a single.
In the bottom of the seventh with two outs, Elon rallied to place the potential walk-off run on base. Serafini plated a single to left center before being replaced on the bases by Morgan Reich. Another single by Million advanced Reich to second before Hoover’s double to left field enabled her to score the game-winning run and give Elon the 3-2 victory.
At the Plate: The Phoenix had nine hits in the contest, but left seven runners on base including the bases loaded in the fifth…Hoover was 3-for-4 with a double and a pair of RBI…Callie Horn was 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk.
In the Circle: Mitchum earned the complete game win after allowing four hits and two runs with five strikeouts.
Game Two: Elon 7, Iona 6
The Rundown: A wild third inning set the stage for both teams in the contest. The Gaels scored four in the top half of the frame behind a couple of home runs to take a 4-0 lead over the Phoenix before moving into the home half.
Elon would not be deterred as the maroon and gold answered methodically to take the lead. A pair of one-out singles by Hall and Hannah Olson gave Phoenix a couple of runners on before Kara Shutt joined them on a free pass to load the bases. Three straight walks given up by Iona with the bases juiced trimmed the Phoenix’s deficit to one, 4-3, with Ashtyn Foddrell coming to the plate. A wild pitch led to another bases loaded walk to tie the game at 4-4, but as Iona was slow to cover home plate off the miscue, Elon took advantage with a couple more runs coming across to take a 6-4 advantage.
The Phoenix added an important insurance run in the bottom of the fourth. Hall opened the inning with a bunt single and moved to third after Shutt’s single down the left field line. Serafini’s sacrifice fly to left field scored Hall and put Elon ahead 7-4 after the fourth.
Iona came back with two runs of its own to pull within one, 7-6, in the top of the fifth. The Gaels themselves scored on a bases loaded walk to make their deficit only one with one out. After a fielder’s choice, Elon went with a pitching change with Mitchum coming in relief and retiring the side on a strikeout to escape the frame.
In the top of the seventh, Iona would not go away quietly. The Gaels’ Courtney Miller opened the frame with a leadoff double to left field, giving Iona a runner in immediate scoring position. A sacrifice bunt moved her to third with only one out, but Mitchum struck out the next batter and induced the final out on a fly out into left field as Elon held on for its 7-6 win.
At the Plate: Elon only had four total hits in the contest with Hall accounting for half of that total after going 2-for-2 with a pair of runs scored…Serafini had two RBI in the contest…The Phoenix was walked eight times overall and left four on base.
In the Circle: Hailey Jomp (2-1) received the win in relief after coming in the top of the fourth in relief of starter Kenna Quinn…Jomp pitched 1.2 innings and gave up three hits and two runs, both unearned…Mitchum pitched 2.1 innings in relief and allowed one hit and fanned four batters.
On Deck
The Phoenix closes out the Elon Softball Tournament tomorrow, March 5, with a contest versus Saint Joseph’s at 2 p.m.