COLUMBIA, S.C. – Despite taking an 3-0 lead in the third inning, the Elon University softball team was doomed by late inning rallies from Boston College to fall to the Eagles, 5-3, on the second day at the Gamecock Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Carolina Softball Stadium.
 
Elon fell in its third straight contest, moving to 7-4 on the season. The Eagles improved to 5-7 on the year in their first-ever contest against the Phoenix.
 
"We came out with a lot of good energy tonight, especially coming off last night's game," said Elon head coach Kathy Bocock. "We did some really good things, but we also made a couple of costly errors. We just have to clean those things up but, it's baby steps for us."
 
At the Plate
Elon was held to three hits in the game with Megan Grant, Megan White and Lauryn Clarke each getting a base hit. White drove in a pair of runs on a double while Grant also had a double to her stat line.
 
In the Circle
Freshman Kaitlin King (3-3) took the loss for Elon in the circle. The Parkland, Fla., native pitched the full 7.0 innings and surrendered eight hits and five runs while striking out three.
 
The Rundown
The Phoenix opened its half of the first with a leadoff double from Grant. She advanced to third after a groundout, but could not move any further as she was stranded at third.
 
Elon used a three-run bottom of the third to take the lead. Grant and Rebecca Murray both reached on one-out walks before Boston College induced the next out on a popup. White followed with a two-RBI double to right center to put the maroon and gold ahead 2-0. Another RBI from Clarke on a single scored another run as the Phoenix went up 3-0.
 
Boston College tied the game in the top of the sixth. The Eagles hit a one-out solo home run to get on the scoreboard and followed that at bat with a double to center field. Boston College then reached on a fielder's choice and had runners in scoring position after the Phoenix failed to tag out the lead runner in a rundown. After a walk loaded the bases, the Eagles tied the game on a two-RBI single at three-all.
 
The Eagles took the lead on a one-out bloop single to shallow right in the top of the seventh. Boston College opened the inning with a double and a single to put a pair of runners on. Elon was able to record an out on a grounder to short, but Emme Martinez's bloop single put the Eagles in front, 4-3. A sac fly to right added another run to give Boston College a two-run cushion, 5-3.
 
The Phoenix was retired in order in the bottom of the seventh as Boston College kept Elon from rallying and secured the 5-3 victory.
 
On Deck
Elon closes out the Gamecock Invitational tomorrow, Feb. 23, with a doubleheader versus Liberty beginning at 3 p.m. followed by a matchup against host No. 22 South Carolina at 5:30 p.m.