GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Elon University softball team fell in a pair of one-run games on its final day at the UNCG Spartan Classic on Sunday, March 13. The Phoenix was handed a 3-2 setback versus Saint Francis (Pa.) in its opening game of the day before dropping a 4-3 result at the hands of Delaware State to close out the tournament.
 
The losses dropped the Phoenix to 13-9 overall on the year. Saint Francis improved to 12-10 on the year while Delaware State earned its first win of the season to go to 1-10.
 
Game One: Saint Francis (Pa.) 3, Elon 2
Saint Francis plated the first run of the game in the top of the third on a sacrifice fly from Limdsey Ward. Ward scored Mekenzie Saban, who had reached earlier in the inning on a single.
 
Elon tied things up in the bottom of the third. Chloe Hatzopoulos singled to lead off the inning and moved to second after a hit-by-pitch. Gabi Schaal drove her in on her RBI single to center field to knot the game at one-all.
 
The Red Flash retook the lead in the top of the fourth. Sydney Baker reached on a two-out double to left field and scored on another double from Ashley Orischak to put Saint Francis up 2-1.
 
The Phoenix tied the game once again in the bottom of the fourth. Kaitlyn Wells led off on a double and eventually scored on a error by the right fielder to make the score even at 2-2.
 
A two-out RBI double in the top of the sixth for the Red Flash was the difference maker for Saint Francis to earn a win over the Phoenix. Elon retired the first two batters, but a walk to Saban gave the Red Flash a runner on. A double to right center allowed her to cross the dish to put Saint Francis ahead 3-2.
 
Elon had one runner advance into scoring position in the final two innings, but could not push across the tying run as the Phoenix fell to the Rad Flash, 3-2.
 
The Phoenix was held to four hits in the contest with Schaal having the only RBI in the contest. Wells had a double in the game as Elon left five runners on base.
 
McKenzie Weber received the loss in the circle to fall to 3-1 on the year. The redshirt senior allowed eight hits and three runs in the complete-game effort while striking out five batters.
 
Game Two: Delaware State 4, Elon 3
Delaware State plated three runs in the bottom of the first to jump out early on the Phoenix. Elon was able to record the second out of the inning on a ground out, but a walk loaded the bases for the Hornets with its No. 6 batter coming to the plate. Delaware State connected on a double down the left field line, clearing the bases and putting Elon in a 3-0 hole.
 
The Phoenix got a run back in the top of the fourth. Schaal reached on a one-out walk and moved to second after a wild pitch. A walk drawn by Carley Davis gave the Phoenix the tying run at the plate, but a fly out put Elon in danger of leaving the pair stranded. A Delaware State error on a dropped infield popup enabled Schaal to score and put the Phoenix on the board, 3-1.
 
The Hornets got a run back in the bottom of the fifth. Delaware State reached on an error to lead off the inning with the runner scoring on a ground out to second to put its lead back to three, 4-1.
 
Elon began to rally to cut into its deficit beginning with a Rebecca Murray solo home run to open the top of the sixth. Elon had the tying at the plate after a one-out single through the left side by Davis, but saw the next batter strikeout to put the Phoenix in danger of leaving her stranded. Megan White almost pulled the Phoenix within one on her two-out double down the left field line, but Davis was thrown out at home on the plate to end the inning.
 
The Phoenix attempted one final furious rally in the top of the seventh with two outs. After the first two batters were retired on a strikeout and a fly out, Claudia Penny brought the Phoenix within one on her solo home run over the center field wall. Elon then loaded the bases after an error, a single and a fielder's choice, but a ground out to shortstop ended the threat and the game with Delaware State hanging out for the 4-3 win.
 
Murray led the Phoenix at the plate after going 2-for-4 with her second homer of the year. Elon in total had six hits in the contest, but left seven runners stranded.
 
Isley Duggins took the loss to fall to 4-2 overall on the year. The Burlington, N.C., native allowed two hits and three earned runs while striking out a season-high seven strikeouts in 4.1 innings.
 
On Deck
Elon heads to East Carolina for a twin bill on Wednesday, March 16. The first game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start.