ELON, N.C. – Seniors Alaina Hall and Carey Million both reached historical feats as the pair helped the Elon University softball team rally for a 5-4 victory over I-40 rival North Carolina A&T on Wednesday, April 26, in a midweek nonconference bout at Hunt Softball Park. 
 
Elon improved to 30-17 on the season, its second 30-win campaign within the past three seasons. The Phoenix also earned the season sweep over its Triad rival North Carolina A&T (14-27-1) in the home-and-home series while also snapping the Lady Aggies' four-game winning streak.
 
At the Plate: Elon only had two hits on the day versus the Lady Aggies with both base knocks coming from Hall and Million, who both went 1-for-2…Hall's single in the sixth inning gave her 230 for her career and moved her into sole possession of second all-time in school history in career hits…Million drove in Hall in the sixth frame with the Phoenix's lone RBI in the contest, her 45^th of the season…That number is now the second-most in program history in a single-season and is only two shy of the all-time program record…Million also scored three of the Phoenix's five runs.
 
In the Circle: Starter Kiandra Mitchum (16-10) notched another win for the Phoenix in the circle, tossing her 14^th complete game of the season…The lefty allowed five hits, four runs, three earned, while striking out five…The 14 complete games and 16 wins for Mitchum is the most for a Phoenix pitcher since 2012.
 
The Rundown: The tone and theme of the game was set in the bottom of the opening inning as the Phoenix went on the board first off a N.C. A&T error. Million reached on a two-out fielding error then stole second to move into scoring position. An errant throw by the catcher to second went into the outfield, enabling Million to cross the dish and give Elon the early 1-0 advantage.
 
After both teams set each other down in order in both the second and third frames, the Lady Aggies put up a four-spot in the top of the fourth aided by a Phoenix fielding miscue. N.C. A&T reached on a Phoenix error to lead off the inning and had another runner reach on a one-out single. A triple to center field by Kimberly Brunson scored both runners and gave the Lady Aggies a 2-1 lead. Two more runs were plated by North Carolina A&T on a single and a double as the Lady Aggies doubled its lead to 4-1 after the top half of the fourth.
 
Elon responded with a run back in the home half of the fourth. Hall and Million both walked to start the inning for the Phoenix before the pair advanced to scoring position with one out on a wild pitch. Another walk drawn by Erica Serafini loaded the bags before the Phoenix attempted to steal home on the next at bat. Elon would be called out on the first attempt across the dish, but as the Lady Aggies were occupied with Serafini in a rundown between first and second, Million was able to beat the throw and tag at home to cut the Phoenix's deficit to two, 4-2.
 
In danger of being no-hit for the second time in three games, Elon finally got in the hit column with Hall's leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth. Million's RBI triple to left center scored Hall and brought the maroon and gold within one, 4-3. After Serafini drew another free pass with one out, she stole second to give the Phoenix runners in scoring position. On the next at bat, Emily Roper drew a walk, but as she was taking base, a fielding error on an attempt to tag out Million at third was mishandled and enabled her to plate the tying run. Serafini was also able to beat the throw home on the play and put the Phoenix up 5-4.
 
The Lady Aggies did not go away however, placing the tying run on base in the top of the seventh. Another Phoenix miscue led to N.C. A&T having a runner reach with one out and advancing to second on the play. The Phoenix however worked around it as Mitchum induced a foul out before the runner was caught out in a rundown between second and third to end the game.
 
Other Notes: Elon improved to 20-7 at home this season, tying for the most wins in a season at its five-year facility, Hunt Softball Park…The Phoenix also went to 23-10 against nonconference competition this year after going 17-17 last season in non-league games...Both teams combined for six errors in the contest.
 
On Deck
The Phoenix hosts its final home series this weekend, April 29-30, as Elon welcomes Delaware to Hunt Softball Park for a three-game Colonial Athletic Association bout. Both teams open with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 29, at 1 p.m.