RALEIGH, N.C. – The Elon University softball team was handed an 8-4 setback to NC State in the Phoenix's final game at the Marucci Classic on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 18 at Dail Softball Stadium.
 
Elon's ledger falls to 4-5 on the season while the Wolfpack improved to 7-3 with the win.
 
At the Plate
• The Phoenix was credited with five hits with Mauri Murray going 2-of-3 at the plate with a home run and four RBI in the contest. Greta Hessenthaler was also 2-of-3 with a double to her stat line while Drew Menscer accounted for the Phoenix's other hit.
 
In the Circle
• Meredith Wells was saddled with the loss after the senior went 3.0 innings to start the game while allowing five runs with three strikeouts. Isley Duggins and Taylor Cherry pitched the remaining 3.0 innings in relief.
 
The Rundown
• A three-run bottom of the first helped the Wolfpack get off to a fast start against the Phoenix. NC State drew a walk to lead off the inning before hitting a two-run home run to plate its first runs of the contest. Elon induced the next two outs on a strikeout and a grounder, but NC State added its third score of the frame on a solo homer.
• NC State looked to add more runs to the scoreboard in the bottom of the second. The Wolfpack opened the frame with three straight singles to load the bases with no outs. Wells and the Phoenix finagled their way out of the jam as Elon forced the Wolfpack into a couple of fielder's choices while getting another out on a fly out to escape the inning.
• Elon's good fortune would not last as the Wolfpack added two more runs in its home half of the third. NC State rallied on a pair of two-out singles to push its lead over the Phoenix to 5-0.
• The Phoenix finally responded with a strong top of the fourth offensively. Hessenthaler doubled to left field to give Elon its first runner in scoring position. A walk to Allie Seering gave the Phoenix two runners on before the first out was recorded on a fielder's choice on the next at bat. Murray however would cut into the Phoenix's deficit as the sophomore hit her third home run of the weekend as the three-run blast made the score 5-3 in favor of the Wolfpack.
• NC State came back with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Wolfpack added another solo home run before closing out the frame with a two-out RBI single to push their lead to 7-3.
• Murray added her fourth RBI of the game in the top of the sixth to bring Elon within three. Seering reached on an error to begin the inning and stole second to move into scoring position.  She later advanced to third on a passed ball with one out in the frame as Murray stepped into the batter's box. Taking a 1-1 count, Murray drove a single up the middle, scoring Seering to make the score 7-4.
• The Wolfpack added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. NC State hit a sac fly to right field, pushing a runner across the dish to double its lead, 8-4.
• Elon was retired in order in the top of the seventh as the Wolfpack ended the game with the 8-4 victory.
 
On Deck
Elon heads to Blacksburg, Va., for a single-game matchup at Virginia Tech next Wednesday, Feb. 21. That contest is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start time.