NEWARK, Del. — The Elon University softball team lost a pair of games to the University of Delaware Blue Hens in its first conference road series, losing 6-5 in game one and 9-3 in game two.
Elon fell behind 2-0 after three innings in game one but scored three runs in the top of the fourth to grab a 3-2 lead. Senior designated hitter Raelyn McGarry drove in the first run with an RBI single and senior first baseman Keagan Goldwait gave the Phoenix the lead with a two RBI double.
Delaware retook the lead after scoring three runs in the bottom half of the inning. After falling behind 5-3, Elon brought freshman pitcher Isley Duggins into the game to replace redshirt senior McKenzie Weber, who started the game. Duggins got two outs to get out of the inning and limit the damage for the Phoenix.
After both teams went scoreless in the fifth inning, Elon tied the game at 5-5 in the top of the sixth when senior center fielder Rebecca Murray hit a two RBI double to score junior right fielder Drew Menscer and freshman Allee Seering, who came in off the bench to run for the Phoenix.
In the seventh inning, Elon advanced a runner to second base but could not score a go-ahead run. A pair of singles put two Delaware runners on base in the bottom of the inning and a wild pitch from Duggins allowed Delaware to score the winning run.
Elon outhit Delaware 11-7 but left nine runners on base compared to just three for Delaware. The Phoenix also committed three errors, tied for a season high. Junior shortstop Bella Devesa had a team-high of three hits but was also responsible for two of the team’s errors.
The Phoenix fell behind 5-1 after two innings in game two, as freshman pitcher McKenna McCard struggled. McCard allowed a run on a wild pitch and another when she hit Delaware senior first baseman Brooke Glanden with a pitch with the bases loaded. Delaware senior catcher Halle Kisamore also drove in two Delaware runs, one a piece in the first and second innings.
Elon scored a pair of runs in the top of the third to make the score 5-3, as Murray scored on a Delaware throwing error and sophomore third baseman Gabi Schaal hit a sacrifice fly that scored junior second baseman Megan Grant.
Just as in the first game, Delaware responded with a strong fourth inning, scoring three runs to get ahead 8-3. The Blue Hens added another run in the sixth and allowed just one Elon base runner in the seventh inning. Grant flew out to center field to end the game.
Murray had a team-high three hits in the second game but only three other players registered a hit. Four pitchers saw playing time for Elon.
Elon is now 1-4 in Colonial Athletic Association games. The teams will play again tomorrow at 1 p.m. in the final game of the series.