Elon Splits Delaware in CAA Softball Twin Bill

ELON, N.C. – Senior Carey Million tied the program’s single-season RBI record as the Elon University softball team earned a Colonial Athletic Association doubleheader split versus Delaware on Saturday, April 29, in the beginning of the league three-game set at Hunt Softball Park.
Game 1 Box (.PDF) | Game 2 Box (.PDF)

The Phoenix (31-18, 8-8 CAA) took game one, 6-4, but suffered a 1-0 setback at the hands of the Blue Hens (20-25, 7-10 CAA) in the second game. The Phoenix, who needed a sweep of the series to clinch a spot for the upcoming CAA Tournament, still has controlling position on the fifth and final spot for the postseason tournament over the Blue Hens heading into the rubber match tomorrow, April 30.

Both teams close out the series at 1 p.m. on Sunday, as the maroon and gold will honor its four-person senior class of Alaina Hall, Million, Jenna Reilly and Emily Roper prior to the game.

Game One: Elon 6, Delaware 4
The Rundown: Elon took control of the game from the start, plating a pair of runs in the bottom of the opening frame. After a hit-by-pitch and a single opened the inning for the Phoenix, Million drove them both in on a double into right center. The runs driven in gave Million 47 for the season as she tied the program’s single-season record with Emerald Graham (2010-11) from 2011.

The Phoenix then put up a four-spot in the bottom of the third to expand its lead. Hannah Olson led off the frame with a triple down the right field line and scored off a sacrifice fly from Alaina Hall. Million and Kara Shutt then both reached on a walk and bunt single, respectively, with Erica Serafini coming to the plate with runners at first and third. A bunt by Serafini scored Million at home before an errant throw into the outfield on an attempted tag at third of Shutt led to the bases being cleared for the Phoenix. Shutt and Serafini crossed the dish to push Elon’s lead to 6-0 before closing out the third.

Delaware broke through with two runs in the top of the fourth on three hits and a Phoenix error. A double to left field by Anna Steinmetz brought in Leanna Gearhart, who opened the inning with a single up the middle. A single to center by Mariah Kondravy brought another run in and trimmed Elon’s lead to 6-2.

A pair of singles in the top of the sixth helped the Blue Hens bring themselves within two on the scoreboard. Kondravy led off with a single to second base and scored on a single to right field by Mattie Nuccio. Nuccio herself would come home thanks to Ali Davis’ two-out single to the shortstop to make the score 6-4.

In the seventh, the Blue Hens were able to get the tying runs on base with only one out. Elon however was able to work around it to induce the next two outs to close out the game one victory.

At the Plate: Elon was outhit by the Blue Hens, 9-7, in the contest…Million had the only multi-hit performance in the game for Elon going 2-for-2…She added a double to her stat line…Six players total plated a hit for the Phoenix…Hall and Serafini also drove in runs for the Phoenix.

In the Circle: Kiandra Mitchum took the win for the Phoenix, giving her 17 for the season…That win total is tied for the fourth-highest total in a single-season in school history…The lefty pitched 4.0 innings and gave up four hits, two runs, one earned, with five strikeouts.

Game Two: Delaware 1, Elon 0
The Rundown: Game two became a pitcher’s duel between Mitchum and Delaware’s Jordan Cargile. Mitchum retired the first 12 batters she faced before allowing the first hit to the Blue Hens in the top of the fifth. Cargile was equally impressive as she allowed only one hit in the first three frames.

Elon’s best opportunity to plate a run came in the bottom of the fourth. Shutt drove a one-out single up the middle and moved to second on another single by Serafini. The pair moved to scoring position on a throwing error by the shortstop with one out, but the two would be stranded as a grounder and a fly out closed the threat.

Delaware finally broke through with the lone run of the game in the top of the sixth. Kondravy drove in Miranda O’Donald on a two-out single through the right side that put the Blue Hens ahead 1-0.

That would be all the support needed for the Blue Hens as the Phoenix bats were retired in order in both the bottom of the sixth and seventh frames to close the game.

At the Plate: Elon won the hit battle versus Delaware in game two, 5-4, but had none after the fifth…The Phoenix left five runners on base compared to six for the Blue Hens…Elon was 1-for-8 with runners on and 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.

In the Circle: Mitchum (17-11) was given the loss for game two after pitching her 15th complete game of the season…The Mechanicsville, Va., native allowed four hits and one run with four strikeouts…Her counterpart Cargile (15-12) tossed a complete game and allowed five hits while throwing 59 pitches.