DURHAM, N.C. – The Elon University softball team could not withhold a fast start from No. 8 Duke as the Phoenix suffered a 14-0 defeat at the hands of the Blue Devils in the finale of the Duke Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 25 at Duke Softball Stadium.
 
Elon fell to 5-10 on the season while Duke improved to 13-1 to extend its winning streak to 13 games.
 
At the Plate
• Elon had four hits offensively in the contest with Drew Menscer, Allee Seering, Gabi Schaal and Greta Hessenthaler each registering a base hit. Kaitlyn Wells and Teagan Baulsir also reached on a walk and a fielder's choice, respectively.
 
In the Circle
• Anna Dew was tagged with the loss, falling to 0-3 on the season. Meredith Wells and Michaela Hobson also pitched in the contest for the Phoenix in relief.
 
The Rundown
• Duke got off to a fast start, scoring seven runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Blue Devils scored their first run on a bases-loaded walk while plating the other six on a pair of singles, a double and a triple.
• Elon got its first runner into scoring position in the top of the second. Schaal led off the frame with a single to left before moving over to second on a Hessenthaler single to right as the Phoenix had two runners on with no outs. Duke however induced the next three outs to leave them streanded.
• The Blue Devils continued their scoring with a five-spot in the bottom of the second, pushing their advantage to 12-0. The Phoenix again had a runner reach scoring position, this time in the third inning as Menscer reached on a leadoff single before advancing to third on a pair of ground outs. A strikeout would leave her stalled at third as the inning turned over to the bottom half.
• Duke added its final runs of the contest in its home half of the third, scoring a pair off a two-out, RBI single up the middle.
• The Phoenix's last best opportunity to add runs to the scoreboard came in the top half of the fourth. Hessenthaler reached on a one-out hit-by-pitch before being joined on the bases by Baulsir on an error off a fielder's choice. After a fly out recorded the second out of the frame, Kaitlyn Wells drew a free pass to load the bases for the Phoenix, but Elon would leave ducks on the pond as a fly out ended the inning.
• The contest would conclude in the next inning as the Phoenix was retired in order with the game ending early after the top of the fifth, 14-0.
 
On Deck
The Phoenix is back home to host UNCG in the start of a three-game set. The series kicks off on Friday, March 1, with the game time set for 5 p.m. at Hunt Softball Park. The contest will also stream on FloSoftball.