ELON, N.C. – A walk-off RBI single from sophomore
Peyton Fitzpatrick helped capped off a comeback for the Elon University softball team as the Phoenix took an 8-7 victory over Hofstra on Saturday, March 8, in game two of its CAA series at Hunt Softball Park.
The win improves the Phoenix to 9-11 on the season and 2-0 in league play. Hofstra falls to 1-15 and 0-2 in the CAA. The victory gives Elon its first-ever series win over the Pride on its home diamond and the first series win over Hofstra since 2019.
At the Plate
• Elon had six hits in the game with
Greta Hessenthaler and
Chloe Hatzopoulos both going 2-of-4 at the dish. Hatzopoulos had her fourth homer of the season while Hessenthaler added her third double on the year and extended her reached base streak to 19 games. The sophomore also drove in a pair of RBI.
• Fitzpatrick,
Teagan Baulsir and
Reagan Hartley also had RBI for the Phoenix.
In the Circle
•
Isley Duggins was rewarded the win in the circle after pitching 2.0 innings in relief. The senior allowed one earned run with a pair of strikeouts to improve to 3-1 on the year.
• Starter
Lia Miller tossed 5.0 frames and allowed five earned runs off seven hits and posted three strikeouts.
The Rundown
• Hofstra got the scoring started in the top of the third. The Pride scored on a one-out single down the right field line before plating a second run on a Phoenix error to take a 2-0 lead.
• Elon got a run back in the home half of the third. Hartley reached on a one-out walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. She would cross the dish on Hessenthaler's RBI double to left center, as the Phoenix trailed 2-1. Despite getting another runner on base on an
Allee Seering walk and just one out in the frame, the Elon bats were retired as Hofstra escaped the jam.
• In the top of the fourth, Elon's defense helped the maroon and gold hold off some potential runs in the inning. Hofstra had its first two batters reach on singles and looked to add some runs to its lead on the next at bat. The Phoenix however forced the Pride into a triple play with Elon leaving the frame unharmed.
• The Phoenix tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth. Hatzopoulos drove a solo home run over the left field wall as the one-out round-tripper knotted the game. Elon got a runner to reach third in the inning for a chance to take the lead, but the Pride struck out the last batter to end the inning.
• Hofstra responded with a four-run top of the fifth to retake the lead. The Pride scored on a one-out double to left before adding three more runs off a two-out home run to right center to hand the Phoenix a 6-2 deficit.
• Elon answered with a five-run bottom of the sixth to jump back in front.
Kayla Wilson started the rally on a leadoff single before she was replaced by a pinch runner. Hatzopoulos also reached base after a single and the Phoenix loaded the bases after
Lani Wyrick reached base on an error after a sac bunt.
• With ducks on the pond, Baulsir came in to pinch hit and was able to earn a free pass, scoring a run for the Phoenix. A passed ball plated the second run of the frame before Hartley drove in a run after reaching on a fielder's choice. Elon tied the game at 6-6 on a Hessenthaler single to left before another Hofstra error allowed the Phoenix to score another run to take a 7-6 advantage.
• Hofstra came back to tie the game in the top half of the seventh. The Pride's leadoff hitter reached on a walk, but the Phoenix induced the next two outs looking to close out the ball game. Hofstra stayed alive after a two-out single put runners on first and second before tying the game on an RBI single up the middle at 7-7.
• The Phoenix would recover to earn the series win in its home half of the seventh. Wyrick reached on a one-out error and then stole second to move into scoring position. A passed ball moved her to third and closer to being the potential walk-off run with Fitzpatrick coming to the plate. The Canton, Ga., native worked a full count before driving an RBI single to right center, easily scoring Wyrick as the Phoenix came away with the 8-7 walk-off win.
On Deck
The series finale between the Phoenix and the Pride begins tomorrow, March 9, at noon at Hunt Softball Park. The contest will stream on FloCollege (FloSoftball).
-- ELON --
