ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team broke open a pitcher's duel in the bottom of the sixth, but was unable to hold off Hofstra in the Colonial Athletic Association rubber match as the Phoenix fell to the Pride, 4-3, in an 11-inning bout on Sunday, April 10, at Hunt Softball Park.
 
Elon (21-17, 6-3 CAA) suffered its first CAA series loss of the season and fell to 2-5 all-time against the Pride (19-15, 4-4 CAA). This game was also Elon's first defeat in extra innings this season and only its fifth setback at home.
 
At the Plate: Elon only had five hits in the contest compared to six for the Pride…Hannah Olson was the only Phoenix player to have a multi-hit contest after going 2-for-4 with a run scored…Both Carey Million and Emily Roper homered in the game for the Phoenix with Million having two RBI on the day…Kara Shutt was hitless in the game (0-for-4), but drew a walk to extend her reached base streak to 22 games…Elon left 10 runners on base.
 
In the Circle: Taking the loss for the Phoenix was Kiandra Mitchum, who pitched 4.0 innings in relief after coming in the top of the seventh and gave up one run off three hits…Starter Kayla Caruso went 6.0 innings and allowed two runs off four hits with three strikeouts…Elise Walton pitched the top of the 11^th and gave up one run, unearned…Hofstra's Jessica Peslak threw 10.0 innings and gave up three runs on five hits while walking five.
 
The Rundown: Neither team had a runner advance past second in the first six innings of the contest as starters Caruso and Peslak breezed through the lineups in a classic pitchers' duel. Both hurlers combined for only three hits allowed in the contest through the top of the sixth after Caruso set down the order to move the game to the home half of the frame.
 
Elon however was the first team to strike offensively in the bottom of the sixth. Olson, who had Elon's lone hit of the game at that point, drove a one-out single to center field to give the Phoenix a runner on. She was in danger of being stranded after a fly on the next at bat, but Million connected on a two-run home run to left center that put the Phoenix ahead 2-0 and in control of the game.
 
Hofstra quickly responded with a leadoff solo home run of its own in the top of the seventh by Brittany Allocca. After the next batter reached on a single to right center, Elon made a change in the circle as Mitchum relieved Caruso. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner to second, but the Phoenix induced the second out on a fly out to center. The Pride's Lacey Clark however sent a bloop single into right field that enabled the tying run to score and knot the contest at 2-2. The game would go into extras after Elon went down in order in the bottom half of the seventh.
 
The Pride attempted to take the lead in the top half of the ninth. Kim Smith was walked to open the frame and advanced to third after a two-out double by Clark to center. She attempted to score on the play, but she was tagged out a great relay throw from Erica Serafini at second to home to escape the inning.
 
A two-spot for the Pride in the top of the 11^th gave Hofstra to go-ahead lead. Brielle Pietrafesa singled to center field, scoring Michaela Transue who reached earlier on a leadoff walk. An insurance run was added after a grounder to second to put the Pride up 4-2.
 
The Phoenix rallied to cut the score to one and have runners in scoring position with one out in the home half of the 11^th. Roper belted her fifth homer of the season on a solo blast down the left field line to make the score 4-3. Hofstra went with a pitching change, but saw Million reach on an error and Kristin Hoover join her on the bases after a walk. The pair advanced to scoring position after a sacrifice bunt, but the Pride induced the next two outs to escape with the 4-3 victory.
 
On Deck
Elon hosts UNCG in a non-conference game on Wednesday, April 13. That contest is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start.