DURHAM, N.C. – The Elon University softball team jumped out to an early lead at No. 13 Duke, but the Blue Devils rallied with five unanswered runs to earn a 5-4 victory over the Phoenix on Wednesday evening, Feb. 23, at Duke Softball Stadium.
 
Elon moved to 7-3 overall on the season while the Blue Devils improved to 9-2. Duke also improved its all-time series advantage over the Phoenix to 4-1. All five games in the series between the Phoenix and the Blue Devils have been within four runs or less.
 
At the Plate
• The Phoenix recorded four base hits in the contest by four different players with Rebecca Murray (1-for-3) providing the only extra-base hit with her double.
• Gabi Schaal drove in a pair of runs for the maroon and gold while Megan Grant and Drew Menscer also provided a pair of RBI.
 
In the Circle
• Taylor Cherry fell to 2-2 on the year after pitching a complete game versus the Blue Devils. The rookie allowed seven hits and five earned runs while striking out five.
 
The Rundown
• After the bottom of the first in which Cherry struck out the Blue Devil side, Elon put up a four-spot in the top of the second with two outs. The Phoenix loaded the bases on a walk to Chloe Hatzopoulos before another free pass drawn by Menscer plated the first run of the game. Grant and Schaal added to the run total as the pair drove in three runs on singles to put Elon up 4-0.
• The Blue Devils got the runs back in their half of the third frame. Duke had its first two runners reach on singles before Cherry retired the next two batters on a ground out and a fly out. Elon could not get out of the inning as Duke hit a pair of home runs to tie the contest at four-all before the close of the frame.
• In the top of the sixth, Elon had a chance to retake the lead as Murray led off with a double to left to give the Phoenix a runner in scoring position. The Blue Devils however shut down the Elon offense as the next three batters were set down via strikeouts to leave Murray stranded.
• Duke would take the lead in the bottom of the sixth frame. Elon was able to get the first two outs of the inning, but could not escape the frame without harm as a Duke solo home run to left center gave the Blue Devils their first lead of the game, 5-4.
• Elon got the tying run on base with two outs after Menscer reached on a single down the left field line in the top of the seventh. Duke induced the final out however to close out the game with the 5-4 victory.
 
On Deck
The Phoenix is back on the diamond this weekend, Feb. 26-27, hosting St. Bonaventure in a three-game set at Hunt Softball Park.