In the second game of the day, Elon and UNC Greensboro entered the bottom of the seventh inning with a 5-5 tie. Debbie Zeigler was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Laurin Smith put down a sacrifice bunt to move Zeigler, but an attempt to get Zeigler out at second sailed over the second baseman's head, putting Zeigler on second and Smith on first. Melanie Helterbran then singled to right field to load the bases. Jaimie Rao singled through the right side to plate Zeigler and give Elon a 6-5 victory.

Elon (9-8) started the scoring early in the game. In the bottom of the first inning, with runners on first and second, Helterbran singled through the right side to score Zeigler from third and give Elon a 1-0 lead.

But UNC Greensboro posted three runs in the top of the third to take a 3-1 lead. With a runner on second base, Adriane Audley doubled to right centerfield to score Mary Greenway and knot the game, 1-1. Then, with the bases loaded, Lyndsey Wilson singled to centerfield to send Leslie Furness and Jennifer Bonilla home to go ahead 3-1.

The Spartans added another run in the top of the fourth frame. Brittany Ausley doubled to get on base before Greenway put down a bunt to move Ausley over. But the throw to get Greenway out at first went over the first baseman's head and put Ausley at home to give UNCG a 4-1 lead.

Elon rallied with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. With runners on the corners, Tracey Dahlen stole second and the throw to get her out rolled into the outfield, allowing Jaymie Shanahan to score from third and cut the UNCG lead to two at 4-2. With runners on first and second, Zeigler doubled to right field to score Dahlen. Smith followed with a single through the right side to send Patti Weber home and even the score at 4-4. After a pitching change, Helterbran singled into right field to score Zeigler and give the Phoenix a 5-4 lead.

In the top of the sixth, Ausley doubled to get on base and moved to third on a sac-bunt by Greenway before a sacrifice fly from Audley sent her home to tie the game, 5-5.

Carol Lilley (2-3) earned the win for the Phoenix after throwing 3.2 innings in relief and giving up one run on two hits while striking out five. Starter Samantha Schroeder tossed 3.1 innings and gave up four runs (no earned runs) on six hits.

Amber Harrell suffered the loss for the Spartans after tossing 2.1 innings in relief and giving up one run on three hits while striking out three. Hannah Angel hurled 4.0 innings and gave up five runs (four earned) on five hits while retiring eight batters.

Helterbran led Elon from the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBI. Zeigler was 2-for-3 with one RBI and three runs scored. Dahlen, Smith and Rao each added one hit.

In the first game of the day, Bucknell put the first run of the game on the board in the top of the first inning. With the bases loaded, Kristin Frick knocked an infield fly that allowed Erin Curatola to score from third to give the Bison a 1-0 lead.

Elon responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Paige Goss led off with a single down the left field line before stealing second. Dahlen grounded out to the third baseman, allowing Goss to move to third. Zeigler then earned a walk and stole second before Smith doubled to right centerfield to score Goss and Zeigler and put Elon ahead 2-1.

Elon added another run in the bottom of the second frame when Goss knocked an RBI single to score Weber from third base.

The Phoenix put two more runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning. With runners on first and second, Weber doubled down the left field line to score Jaimie Rao from second base and put Elon up 4-1. Goss then knocked a sacrifice fly to left field to send Shanahan home and give Elon the 5-1 lead.

Helterbran (6-2) picked up the win for Elon after hurling 5.2 innings in relief and giving up no runs on two hits while striking out seven. Meredith Gay tossed 1.1 innings and gave up one run on three hits.

Christie Wiest suffered the loss for Bucknell after towwing 2.0 innings and giving up three unrs on four hits while retiring one batter.

Goss led Elon from the plate, going 3-for-3 with one run and two RBI. Dahlen, Smith, Rao and Weber each posted a hit for the Phoenix while Smith tallied two RBI.

Elon returns to action on Friday, March 9 in a noon game with Albany at the Winthrop Tournament.

Elon/Bucknell Box Score

Elon/UNCG Box Score