For the second straight day, the Elon University softball team closed its performance with a dramatic contest. However, the Phoenix could not replicate Friday’s magic, losing 8-7 in nine innings against Winthrop University despite coming from two runs down on two separate occasions.
Winthrop led 3-1 entering the bottom of the seventh inning but senior catcher Carley Davis quickly cut into the deficit with a solo home run. Sophomore right fielder Chloe Hatzopoulos stole home plate later in the inning to tie the game at 3-3 and send it to extra innings.
The Eagles quickly rebuilt its two-run advantage with a pair of RBI singles. Needing two runs to extend the game for the second consecutive inning, Elon’s offense again delivered. With two outs, senior shortstop Bella Devesa hit a double to left center field, scoring Davis and sophomore left fielder Reagan Hartley to re-tie the game. With Hatzopoulos on third, senior infielder Megan Grant lined out to third base in the next at-bat to thwart Elon’s scoring threat.
Winthrop struck quickly in the ninth, as three hits and two Phoenix errors allowed the Eagles to tally three more runs. Elon almost overcame another deficit in the bottom of the frame, as a double by sophomore Kaitlyn Wells drove home two runs to make the score 8-7. However, Davis lined out to first base to end the game.
The loss followed a 5-1 defeat to Morgan State University earlier in the day, as Elon posted a 1-3 record in the Elon Softball Classic, the first of two home tournaments for the team this season.
In its four games at the tournament, Elon surrendered 24 runs and 34 hits. The Phoenix’s starting rotation struggled, as all four of the team’s starting pitchers for the weekend finished with an ERA of six or above. Elon also registered six errors as a team for the weekend.
Elon will host its second home tournament next weekend. Michigan State University, Fordham University, James Madison University and Saint Francis University will also participate in the event.