Elon, N.C. – The Hofstra University softball team dropped an 8-2 decision to Elon on Sunday afternoon at Hunt Softball Park. The Phoenix avoided the series sweep as the Pride defeated Elon in a pair of games yesterday.
 
The Pride scattered six total hits including a solo home run by Aliya Catanzarita. Madison McKevitt also recorded an extra base hit, a double in the fourth immediately following Catanzarita's blast.
 
Hofstra found the scoreboard right away as Chelsea Manto singled down the left field line to lead off and quickly scored when the Phoenix committed a pair of errors on a Kasey Collins bunt. The Phoenix answer came in the bottom of the second with four runs on four hits to take a 4-1 advantage over the Pride.
 
After one more run by the Phoenix, Aliya Catanzarita drove an inside pitch over the left field wall for her first career home run, bringing Hofstra's deficit to three runs. The Phoenix added a two-run home run in the fourth and one more tally in the fifth to bring the score to 8-2.
 
Hofstra wouldn't go down without a fight however, as the Pride loaded the bases with a single by Sam Ward and back-to-back walks in the sixth, but the Pride went down in order to close out the inning. Neither team scored the remainder of the way as the Phoenix avoided the series sweep.
 
Hofstra moves to 8-17 on the season and 2-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association while Elon improves to 16-15 overall and 0-2 in the CAA. Nikki Mullin took the loss inside the circle after pitching 1.2 innings and striking out two batters. Julia Apsel tossed the final 3.1 innings and struck out five batters.
 
Hofstra is back in the Empire State for a pair of non-conference games this week, as the Pride will travel to Army West Point on Wednesday, March 30. The doubleheader is set to begin at 3 p.m.
 
NOTES:
-Hofstra is now 12-6 all-time against the Phoenix
-The Pride turned one double play
-Catanzarita reached base in all three of her plate appearances