RALEIGH, N.C. – Head coach Kathy Bocock of the Elon University softball team earned her 300^th career win with the program as the Phoenix split its games on the second day at the Marucci Classic on Saturday, Feb. 17. Elon defeated North Dakota State, 7-5, in its first game of the day before falling to host NC State, 5-2, in its second contest at Dail Softball Stadium.
 
The Phoenix (4-4) was able to avenge its tournament-opening loss to the Bison yesterday as both teams went to extras for the second straight meeting. Bocock, who became the Phoenix's all-time career program leader in wins last season, is the only coach in school history with 300 career wins at Elon.
 
Elon 7, North Dakota State 5
Elon started the top of the first by plating a run to begin the scoring. Drew Menscer reached on an error to lead off the frame before moving to second on the next at bat. Allee Seering doubled to score Menscer to give Elon the early 1-0 lead.
 
North Dakota State responded in its home half of the first to take the lead. After the first two batters reached on singles, the Bison hit a three-run home run to left to put the Phoenix in a 3-1 deficit.
 
The Phoenix put up a three-spot in the top of the fourth to retake the lead. Megan Grant led off the frame with a double to left before scoring on a Mauri Murray single to second. Murray herself would reach second after the defense tried to make a play to throw out Grant at home and would then move to third on a ground out. Murray would score the second run of the inning after a Bison error while Greta Hessenthaler drove in another run on a RBI single as Elon went back up, 4-3.
 
The lead would not last long as the Bison came back with two runs of its own in the bottom of the fourth. NDSU had a runner reach on a one-out free pass before adding its second home run of the game on the next at bat. The round tripper put North Dakota State ahead 5-4 after four complete.
 
Elon came back to tie the game in the top of the sixth. Murray opened the inning with a blast over the wall in center with the solo homer knotting the game at five-all.
 
After neither team generated much offensively in the seventh, the game would go into extras for the second time between the two schools. Elon would capitalize first as Grant drew a one-out walk to get a runner on for the Phoenix with Murray coming to the plate in the top of the eighth. The sophomore took the first pitch she saw and hit her second homer of the game with the two-run shot going to right center to put the Phoenix ahead 7-5.
 
That would be enough support for the Phoenix and Elon retired the side in the bottom of the eight to secure the win.
 
Elon had 10 hits on the day with Murray going 3-of-4 at the dish. The Marvin, N.C., native drove in four RBI with her two home runs while scoring three runs. Gabi Schaal went 2-of-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles.
 
Taylor Cherry (2-0) received the win in relief for the Phoenix after pitching 5.2 innings. The redshirt sophomore allowed two earned runs with three strikeouts.
 
NC State 5, Elon 2
The Wolfpack started the game with a 3-0 lead after the first. NC State loaded the bases with its first three batters before scoring three runs on a single and a double.
 
Elon however got things under control as McKenna McCard came into the game in relief in the first. The junior held the Wolfpack scoreless over the next four frames to keep the Phoenix within reach going to the top of the sixth.
 
The Phoenix finally responded offensively to pull itself within one of NC State in the top of the sixth. Menscer opened the frame with a single before stealing second with two outs to move into scoring position. She would score on a Seering double up the middle for the Phoenix's first run of the game. Elon stayed alive in the inning as the Wolfpack committed an error that allowed Kaitlyn Wells to reach base, advancing Seering to third. Murray then followed with an RBI single to score Seering to bring the Phoenix closer, 3-2, going to the home half of the sixth.
 
NC State answered with two runs of its own to push its lead back to three. The Wolfpack rallied with two outs to plate a pair of runs on an RBI single and a wild pitch to put their lead to 5-2.
 
Elon would go down in order in the top of the seventh as the Wolfpack secured the 5-2 win.
 
The Phoenix was held to four hits against the Wolfpack with each base knock recorded by four different players. Seering was 1-of-3 with a double and an RBI while Murray also went 1-of-3 and an RBI.
 
Lia Miller was credited with the loss for the Phoenix, falling to 0-2 on the season as the rookie allowed three runs off three hits. McCard pitched 6.0 innings in relief, allowing two earned runs with a strikeout.
 
On Deck
The third and final day of the Phoenix at the Marucci Classic begins at 12 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 18, in a rematch versus NC State. That game will stream on the ACC Network Extra via WatchESPN or the ESPN app.