Elon, NC – The Hofstra softball team battled back from a six-run deficit, but it wasn't enough as the Pride dropped its series opener against Elon, 9-5, to begin CAA play for both sides on a cloudy day from Hunt Softball Park.
The loss puts the Pride at 1-14 overall and 0-1 in the CAA, while Elon improves to 8-11 overall and 1-0 in league play.
Chelsea Villar got things going for the Pride with a lead-off triple in the top of the first, and
Anna Butler brought Villar home with an RBI double to the wall in center field. The Phoenix bounced back with a three-run first inning to take a 3-1 lead, and the hosts would add another pair of runs in the second for a 5-1 lead, and they would score another two runs in the third to take a six-run lead.
After being held without a hit since the first inning, Villar tallied her second hit of the contest with a lead-off single to left. Butler reached base on an infield single to put runners on first and second with one out, and
Mackenzie Fitzgerald came through with an RBI single under the diving glove of shortstop Lani Wyrick to score Villar from second.
Alanna Morse stepped up next and belted one to the gap in right center, scoring Butler and Fitzgerald for a two-run double, bringing the Pride to within three of the Phoenix.
In the top of the sixth with runners at first and second on a walk to Villar and
Victoria Frobosilo, Butler delivered an RBI single to center to score Villar and make it a 7-5 game late. Elon, however, would rally to score a run on a triple to center, and Gabi Schaal would take advantage of an errant throw to take home and make it a 9-5 Elon lead. Hofstra had an opportunity to score with runners on first and second in the seventh inning, but Villar struck out to end the game.
Butler drove in two RBIs on a 3-4 day from the dish, while Villar went 2-3 at the plate with a triple and a walk. Morse tallied two RBIs against the Phoenix on Friday and Fitzgerald batted home a run.
Carley Ernst pitched six innings inside the circle and struck out two Elon batters.
The series resumes from Hunt Softball Park on Saturday at 2 p.m.
NOTES:
-Hofstra is now 15-8 all-time versus Elon.
-Frobosilo drew two walks against the Phoenix.
-This was the fifth multi-hit game of the season for Villar.
