DURHAM, N.C.- The Elon University softball team traveled to Durham for day one of the Duke Invitational on Friday, Feb. 23 facing Michigan State. The Phoenix battled but was defeated 4-1 by the Spartans.
 
Elon falls to 4-7 on the season as Michigan State improves to 5-6.
 
At the Plate

• Megan Grant led the way for the Phoenix at the plate going 2-of-3. The first of her two singles came in the bottom of the fifth and broke up Michigan State's no-hitter. 
• Gabi Schaal recorded the only other hit of the game with an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh.

 
In the Circle

• Taylor Cherry got the nod to start in the circle for Elon. The Suffolk, Va. native allowed three runs on five hits in 2.2 innings of work before being relieved by Michaela Hobson. 
• Hobson settled in and tossed 3.1 innings and allowed just one run that came off a solo homer. 
• Isley Duggins pitched the final inning to close out the game and recorded one strikeout and one walk.

 
The Rundown

• Elon escaped a jam early in the top of the first with a big double play by Allee Seering and Schaal.
• The Spartans put up the first run of the game with a solo home run down the left field line in the top of the second.
• In the top of the third, Michigan State added two more runs off their second home run of the day, this time to center field.
• Elon forced a ground out as the Spartans left the bases loaded.
• The Phoenix recorded its second double play, this time from Schaal to Grant, in the top of the fourth to move the game along.
• Michigan State tacked on a run with a third homer in the top of the fifth.
• Grant snapped the Spartans' no hitter with a single in the fifth. She got out as Schaal reached on a fielder's choice but was left stranded.
• Kaitlyn Wells gave the Phoenix a baserunner in the bottom of the seventh after she reached on an error. Grant singled to extend the inning and moved Wells to second.
• Schaal drove in Wells on her single up the middle to help Elon avoid the shutout, but still eventually fall to the Spartans, 4-1.

 
On Deck

• The Phoenix will travel back to Durham for day two of the Duke Invitational where they will face the Villanova Wildcats at 9:30 a.m. and the Boston University Terriers at noon at Duke Softball Stadium.