The Elon University softball team took on the Hofstra University Pride in its first two Colonial Athletic Association games of the 2022 season. The Phoenix lost both games, 9-1 and 8-7. Elon is now 16-14 overall and 0-2 in CAA play.
In the first game, both teams started strong and each scored a run in the first inning. Hofstra junior Chelsea Manto scored for the Pride and senior center fielder Rebecca Murray scored for the Phoenix. The Phoenix did not score another run after the first inning.
Freshman pitcher Taylor Cherry started the first game and allowed seven runs. Hofstra scored six runs in the top of the fifth inning to go ahead by eight, and because Elon could not add any runs in the bottom of the frame, the game ended because of the mercy rule.
The Phoenix had a strong start in the second game and held a 4-0 lead after the second inning. Junior catcher Carley Davis started the first inning with a bang, when she hit a home run that also scored sophomore third baseman Gabi Schaal. The Phoenix had a strong second inning as well with Murray hitting a double that brought junior shortstop Bella Devesa and junior right fielder Drew Menscer home.
However, Hofstra scored eight runs in the top of the sixth inning to take an 8-4 lead. Elon did not add any runs in the bottom of the inning and it was not until the bottom of the seventh when Elon added three more runs to the scoreboard. Murray hit a home run down the left field line and, two pitches later, Schaal homered to left field to bring junior second baseman Megan Grant home. Although the Phoenix gave a strong final push, it was not enough to win, and Davis grounded out with two outs to end the game.
Redshirt senior pitcher McKenzie Weber started the second game and allowed the eight Hofstra runs in the top of the sixth inning. Freshman Isley Duggins finished the game for the Phoenix.
Murray scored two runs, had five hits and batted seven times in the two games to lead the team in each category. Murray ranks in the top 10 of the CAA in batting average, hits (28), doubles (five), total bases (41) and walks (11). Schaal scored two total runs and her home run in the second game was a team-high eighth of the season.
The Phoenix will take on Hofstra again tomorrow in the final game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. After the final game of the series, Elon will travel to Delaware to continue CAA play next weekend, with three games on April 2 and 3. The series begins with a doubleheader starting Saturday at 12 pm.