WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – A sixth-inning rally helped the Elon University softball team to win its second straight Colonial Athletic Association series as the Phoenix defeated Monmouth 4-3 on Sunday, March 19, in the rubber match at MU Softball Park.
 
Elon improved to 11-16 overall on the season and went to 5-1 in the CAA. Monmouth fell to 3-15 and 3-3 in league play.
 
AT THE PLATE
The Phoenix had seven hits in the game with Claudia Penny going 2-of-4 to lead Elon. The Apex, N.C., native also had an RBI in the contest. Carley Davis and Mauri Murray added extra-base hits with the pair adding doubles to their stat lines.
 
IN THE CIRCLE
Isley Duggins (2-6) took the win in relief for Elon. The Burlington, N.C., native threw 3.0 scoreless innings and allowed one hit in the game. Starter McKenna McCard pitched 4.0 innings and allowed four hits and three runs with a pair of strikeouts.
 
THE RUNDOWN
Monmouth took the lead in its half of the third. Abby Warner connected on a three-run home run to put the Hawks ahead 3-0.
 
Elon got a run back in the top of the fourth. Davis reached on a single to left center and moved to third on an error with Bella Devesa reaching. Devesa then preoccupied the defense in a rundown between first and second, allowing Davis to score from third to bring the Phoenix within two, 3-1.
 
The Phoenix rallied for three runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead. Allee Seering led off with a single and scored on a double from Penny to right field to bring Elon within one. Davis then drew a hit-by-pitch to join Penny on the bases with Penny later being replaced by Mary Moss Wirt as a pinch runner. After the Hawks induced the first out of the inning on a popup, Murray doubled into right center to score Wirt to tie the game at three-all with Davis advancing to third. She would score the go-ahead run on a Kaitlyn Wells RBI on an error to second that put Elon ahead 4-3.
 
Monmouth did not go away quietly and had the potential tying and go-ahead runs reach base in the bottom of the seventh. Duggins retired the first batter of the inning on a groundout, but the next two batters reached on a single and a walk with the top of the lineup coming up. Warner nearly gave the Hawks a walk-off as she blasted a rocket into center, but the ball fell harmlessly into the glove of Chloe Hatzopoulos. The runners advanced into scoring position on the play, but Duggins and the Phoenix induced the final out on another fly out to center to escape the jam and secure the win.
 
ON DECK
Elon returns to CAA play next weekend, March 25-26, hosting Towson in a three-game set at Hunt Softball Park.