The Hofstra softball team fell in the final of a three-game series to Elon University by a score of 8-2 on Sunday, March 27. The loss drops the Pride to 8-17 so far this season, and 2-1 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play.

Chelsea Manto nailed a single down the left-field line to lead off the first inning for Hofstra. On the next at-bat, Kasey Collins reached base on an error, advancing all the way to second base, while Manto came home to take a 1-0 lead. Elon answered in the second inning with four runs to go up 4-1.

Elon added on to its lead in the third inning with an RBI single by Megan Grant to make it a four-run ballgame. In the fourth inning, the Pride cut into the lead with a solo home run from Aliya Catanzarita, but Elon quickly answered with a two-run homer of its own to go in front 7-2. In the fifth inning, the Phoenix tacked on to its lead again with one more run to go ahead 8-2.

The Pride came out hot in the sixth inning, starting with a Sam Ward single. After two straight walks and the bases loaded, Hofstra was presented with a golden opportunity to cut into the deficit. A fly out closed the inning without any changes to the scoreboard and with the Pride still trailing by six.

Hofstra had one last chance to make noise in the seventh inning, but went down in order as Elon avoided the series sweep.  

Nikki Mullin started for Hofstra, pitching 1.2 innings and striking out two batters. Haley Venturini came in for one inning and Julia Apsel closed out the game with five strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work. Six different Pride batters recorded a hit in the game.

The Pride will now head to Army West Point for a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday, March 30. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Mike Watters/Hofstra Athletics