STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The Stony Brook University softball team defeated Elon, 4-3, in the series opener on Friday afternoon at University field. Julianna Sanzone hit a walk-off, solo homer in the bottom of the seventh to secure Stony Brook's 18th consecutive win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Ashton Melaas picked up the victory out of the bullpen, securing the final two outs of the seventh inning before Sanzone's walk-off homer in the home half.
• Melaas entered in relief of Haynes, stranding runners on second and third to keep things tied at 3-3. Haynes went 6.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits. She walked seven and struck out eight.
• Sanzone went 3-for-4 on the day, providing the game-winning solo homer to left center with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. 
• Elon opened the scoring in the second inning with a solo homer to left.
• Stony Brook responded in the home half, scratching across a run on an Alyssa Costello ground out with the bases loaded.
• The Phoenix retook the lead in the third inning with a run-scoring ground out of its own. 
• The Seawolves answered again, taking a 3-2 lead on Costello's two-run, opposite-field homer in the fourth.
• Elon then rallied to tie the ballgame at 3-3 before Stony Brook walked it off in the bottom of the seventh.

• The victory was Stony Brook's 18th consecutive, the longest active streak in all of Division I.
• The Seawolves' 13 straight wins against a conference opponent is the fourth longest active streak in the nation.
• During its win streak, Stony Brook has outscored the opposition 112-34.
• Kyra McFarland extended her hit streak to a team-leading 20 straight games.
• Costello's homer was her first of the season. As an offense, Stony Brook's 30 home runs this season are tied with Delaware for the CAA lead.
• Sanzone has now reached base safely in 17 straight games, the second longest streak on the squad.

QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
"It was a really tough ballgame. It was a real battle between the two teams, and I'm happy for our crew that we were able to pull it out" head coach Megan T. Bryant said.

NEXT UP
Stony Brook and Elon return to action tomorrow for game two of the series. The Seawolves and Phoenix are scheduled for a 1 p.m. start on FloSoftball from University Field.

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