In an 8-7 walk off loss on Saturday, March 8, the Hofstra University softball team fell to Elon University in game two of a three-game series. The Pride’s struggles continue as they fall to 1-15 on the season.
Hofstra’s offense had a productive afternoon, but their defense was their achilleas heel as they committed four errors.
Multiple members of the Pride contributed to the offense and had multi-hit games. Chelsea Villar, Anna Butler, Mackenzie Fitzgerald and Carmella Gallagher each had two hit games. Butler ripped her first home run of the season, a three-run blast in the top of the fifth.
Emma Falen pitched a strong game in the circle for the Pride, twirling five innings of work, allowing two hits on two earned runs. Falen also struck out four of the 22 batters she faced.
Starting on the rubber for the Phoenix was Lia Miller, who lasted five innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and three walks.
After two scoreless innings, the Pride broke the ice with a two run third inning. Back-to-back walks to Gallagher and D’Orazio set the table for Villar who knocked in Gallagher with a rip down the left field line. D’Orazio was able to come home on a throwing error from the Phoenix.
Answering the two-spot from the Pride was Greta Hessenthaler with an RBI double to center field. The Pride were able to minimize the damage and keep their one run lead.
Elon tied the game at two runs a piece with a Chloe Hatzopoulos home run.
Hofstra rallied in the fourth, starting with singles from Gallagher and D’Orazio. Villar brought in her second RBI on the day with a double to left field, putting two runners in scoring position for Butler, who knocked the ball over the right center field fence for a three run home run.
Falen finished her outing in the fifth and was relieved by Emma Brennan, who struggled in the circle, not recording an out and allowing two earned runs on two hits.
Hofstra’s fielding woes reared their ugly head in the sixth with two errors, which propelled Elon to five runs, two of which directly resulted from errors.
Carley Ernst came in to finish out the sixth inning for the Pride on the mound. Ernst worked 1.1 innings, allowing two hits and two unearned runs. The Pride stayed alive in the top of the seventh, forcing a bottom of the inning. Butler continued to mash, hitting a single to right field, and moving Lily Yepez into scoring position. Fitzgerald knocked in Yepez with an RBI single up the middle, tying the game at seven apiece.
Peyton Fitzpatrick walked it off for the Phoenix with an RBI single.
The Pride looked to avoid the sweep against the Phoenix on Sunday, March 9. First pitch was scheduled for 12 pm.
