ELON, N.C. – The fourth-seeded Elon University softball team battled top-seeded Delaware through six innings, but ultimately fell to the Blue Hens, 1-0, in its second game at the Colonial Athletic Association Softball Championships on Thursday, May 12, at Hunt Softball Park.
 
The setback put the Phoenix at 28-21 on the season with its first loss of the tournament. The Blue Hens improved to 29-14.
 
AT THE PLATE
• The Phoenix was held to three hits against the Blue Hens with base knocks coming from Carley Davis, Chloe Hatzopoulos and Bella Devesa. Davis' hit was a double, her third of the season.
 
In the Circle
• Taylor Cherry received the loss for the Phoenix in the circle, moving to 7-7 on the year after coming in relief in the bottom of the seventh.
• McKenna McCard started for the Phoenix and went 6.0 innings without allowing a run while striking out two batters.
 
THE RUNDOWN
• The Blue Hens looked to get on the scoreboard early in the bottom of the first inning. Delaware led off with a single with the runner advancing to second on a passed ball. The Phoenix converted a double play on the next at bat and eventually got out of the inning with a fly out.
• Elon had two runners reach in the top of the fourth with two outs. Davis lined a double into left field and was joined on the base paths by Hatzopoulos after she drew a walk. A ground out would leave them stranded and keep the contest scoreless.
• The Phoenix again had a runner reach scoring position in the top of the sixth. Drew Menscer reached on an error and moved to second on the throw to lead off the inning. After the next two batters were retired, Davis drew a walk to join Menscer on the bases with Menscer advancing to third on a stolen base. Davis also swiped second to advance into scoring position, but a ground out left the pair stranded.
• Delaware put across the lone run of the game in the bottom of the seventh to walk it off. With runners in scoring position, the Blue Hens scored on a one-out fielder's choice to second to secure the 1-0 win.
 
On Deck
The Phoenix will play the winner between No. 2 seed Hofstra and No. 5 seed College of Charleston tomorrow at 11:30 a.m.