GREENSBORO, N.C. – Playing in its second straight extra-inning affair, the Elon University softball team could not withhold multiple rallies as the Phoenix ultimately fell to UNCG, 10-9, in the final game of a three-game set on Sunday, March 20, at the UNCG Softball Stadium.
 
The setback moved the Phoenix to 15-12 overall on the year while the Spartans improved to 17-10. The loss also dropped the maroon and gold to 0-7 away from Hunt Softball Park this season.
 
At the Plate
• Elon had a solid day at the plate recording nine hits in the contest. Gabi Schaal led the Phoenix offensively as the sophomore went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored along with a home run.
• Rebecca Murray (2-for-4) and Raelyn McGarry (2-for-5) also had multi-hit efforts for the Phoenix with Murray driving in two RBI. Bella Devesa also added a pair of RBI and a double.
 
In the Circle
• The Phoenix utilized five pitchers in the contest with McKenna McCard receiving the loss to fall to 1-2 on the year. Overall, the Elon pitching staff allowed 10 hits and 10 runs scored with eight walks and two strikeouts.
 
The Rundown
• The high-scoring affair began in the second inning between both teams. Devesa drove in two runs on a one-out double to left field, scoring Keagan Goldwait and Megan White, who both reached earlier on a walk and a single, respectively. Murray plated two more across the dish with a double of her own to right center to put the Phoenix ahead 4-0.
• UNCG cut into the Phoenix's lead in its half of the second connecting on two solo home runs that made the score 4-2.
• Spartans took the lead after putting up a three-spot in the bottom of the third. A two-out double to right field and a two-run home run to center gave UNCG a 5-4 lead after three complete.
• Elon answered with another four-run inning in the top of the fifth. Megan Grant lined a double into right center before she scored on Schaal's double to center to tie the contest at five-all. After the next two batters were retired, Elon rallied with two outs to score three runs on a UNCG error and an RBI single from McGarry to put the Phoenix back up 8-5.
• The Spartans got a run back in the bottom of the fifth to cut the Phoenix's lead to two, 8-6, but a solo home run by Schaal gave the Phoenix a three-run cushion in the top of the sixth, 9-6.
• UNCG came back to tie the game once again in the bottom of the sixth. A two-run home run made it a one-run game before the contest was knotted at 9-9 after a one-out grounder to second.
• The game would move to extras for the second straight day with Elon having the first opportunity to retake the lead in the eighth. The Phoenix saw its first two batters get retired, but was able to work its way to load the bases on a walk and a pair of hit-by-pitches. The bags would be left full as UNCG escaped the jam by inducing a flyout to end the inning.
• The Spartans did take advantage of loading the bases themselves in its half of the eighth frame. UNCG opened with a walk before having runners in scoring position on a double. Another hit-by-pitch made the bags full before a walk plated the go-ahead and walk-off run for the Spartans in the 10-9 victory.
 
On Deck
Elon faces North Carolina Central in a rescheduled matchup with the Eagles on Tuesday, March 22 at 5:30 p.m. at Hunt Softball Park. Both teams were originally scheduled to play each on Wednesday, March 9, but that game was postponed due to weather to Tuesday.