Hofstra softball dropped both games of their season ending double-header on Friday, May 3, falling on the road to Elon University 4-3 in the first game and 7-1 in the second.
A fast start in the first game saw the Pride get out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning behind runs by Kristin Hallam and Kasey Collins. Hallam made it home on a fielder’s choice after stealing back to back bases following her leadoff single to begin the game, while Collins doubled the lead on a Courtney Scarpato sacrifice fly.
Though Elon managed to get on the board in the third behind a two-out RBI single, Hofstra again stretched their lead back out to two on a Devyn Losco RBI double in the bottom of the third.
Unfortunately for the Pride, that run was their last of the game, allowing the three-run Phoenix spurt in the sixth and seventh inning to put the game away for Elon. After a Megan White RBI single pulled Elon within one in the sixth, the seventh inning boost was powered by back to back RBI doubles by Keagan Goldwait and Tia Mitchell, bringing home Lauryn Clarke and Goldwait to secure the 4-3 win.
Madison Burns took the loss for Hofstra, tossing seven innings and giving up eight hits and four runs, while striking out three.
The second game fared a bit worse for the Pride, with the Elon attack coming with force from the jump. From the second inning through the fourth, the Phoenix scored seven times, jumping out five points ahead of the Pride before a rain delay forced a pause in play in the bottom of the fourth, and scoring their final two runs in the same inning after returning to action.
The attack was led by Clarke who had two hits and one run on just three at bats, Megan White who recorded two runs, and Ally Repko, Callie Horn and Goldwait who all had one hit, with both Repko and Glodwait earning runs as well. Phoenix center fielder Rebecca Murray also added a run for Elon.
The Pride’s sole run came in the seventh, when a Hallam one-out sacrifice fly brought home Devyn Losco to take the goose egg off the board for Hofstra.
Mackenzie Suto got the start the mound for the Pride, pitching the first three innings before getting replaced in the fourth by Courtney Scarpato, who gave up two hits and two runs in the one inning she pitched. Suto then made her way back to the mound in the fifth and played the last three innings, taking the loss, despite keeping the Phoenix off the board in her second stretch of action.
In total, Suto gave up only three earned runs and struck out six batters.
Hailey Jomp earned the win for Elon, giving up just five hits despite failing to record a strikeout in just over five innings played.
The double-header loss at Elon ends Hofstra’s season on a sour note, finishing an up and down season on a four-game losing streak and a 20-27 overall record.
The Pride wrap up their Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) record at 7-13, a huge drop-off from the 17-4 conference record the team posted a year ago.
Unable to earn a spot into the CAA tournament, the Pride now look to the 2019-20 season to try to leave a more resounding mark.
Image Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
