The Hofstra Pride softball team swept Elon University in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 26, winning the first game by a score of 9-1, before coming back on the field to win a nail-biter, 8-7, in game two.
In game one, Hofstra got off to a hot start in the first inning with Chelsea Manto punching a single to third base in the first at-bat of the game. Angelina Ioppolo put the Pride on the board with an RBI single to left field, to give Hofstra an early 1-0 lead. Elon responded with an RBI single from Carley Davis to tie the game up at one.
After a scoreless second and third inning, the Pride added two more runs in the fourth off a Sam Ward homer down the left line, to go ahead 3-1. Hofstra blew the game wide open in the fifth inning with six runs scored, extending its lead to 9-1. Meghan Giordano drove in Manto to get the rally started. After a single by Ioppolo, Ward homered to left field once more to help bring home Ioppolo and Giordano. Olivia Malinowski then drove in Madison McKevitt for another run, and Devyn Losco ended the inning by scoring on a wild pitch.
The game mercilessly ended for Elon with the Phoenix unable to add on to its score. Julia Apsel got the start for the Pride, pitching four innings and striking out two batters. Nikki Mullin came in relief for and closed the game with the final three outs.
Game two was nothing short of spectacular, with both teams putting it all on the line. Elon took the early lead this time around, going up 2-0 after a home run by Carley Davis. The Phoenix tacked on to its lead in the second inning, adding two more runs to take a 4-0 lead.
The Pride later erupted for an eight run sixth inning to take the lead. McKevitt nailed a hit to center field that brought home Ioppolo. Ward came in to score on a sacrifice fly by Losco, and Aliya Catanzarita scored off a single from Manto to cut the deficit to one. McKevitt and Manto reached home plate on a fielding error, giving Hofstra a 5-4 lead. Ioppolo capped off the offensive onslaught as she hit her first career home run to left field to push the Pride ahead 8-4.
In the seventh inning, Elon added three runs to make it a one-score game. Mullin came in relief once again and closed out the game, retiring the final batter to give Hofstra the 8-7 victory. Annabella Pisapia pitched the first 1.2 innings, but Haley Venturini got the win with five innings pitched, striking out seven batters.
Hofstra wraps up its three-game series at Hunt Softball Park on Sunday, March 27, as the Pride battles with Elon one more time at 1 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Mike Watters/Hofstra Athletics
