ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team fell in extras to Campbell, 4-3, in the opening game of its CAA series on Friday, March 22, at Hunt Softball Park.
 
The setback placed the Phoenix's overall record at 9-19 while falling to 3-4 in the CAA standings. Campbell improves to 13-14-1 and 5-2 in league play.
 
AT THE PLATE
• Elon and Campbell were tied with nine hits each in the game. Megan Grant had a season-high three hits as the Vinton, Va., native went 3-of-4 at the plate with a double. Regan Hartley added a pair of hits while going 2-of-4 at the dish while Gabi Schaal drove in two RBI while adding a double to her stat line.
 
IN THE CIRCLE
• Taylor Cherry received the loss in relief, going to 3-3 overall on the season. The redshirt sophomore allowed no earned runs in 4.1 innings while giving up just one hit. Starter McKenna McCard tossed 4.2 frames and gave up one earned run with three strikeouts.
 
THE RUNDOWN
• The Camels struck first in the opening frame. Elon induced the second out on a strikeout with a runner at second, but a pair of errors on the Phoenix extended the inning and led to Campbell scoring two runs to take the early 2-0 lead.
• Elon nearly responded in the home half of the first. Grant doubled to lead off the frame but was in danger of being stranded as the next two batters were retired. Mauri Murray kept the inning alive as she beat out an infield single with Grant going to third. Murray then stole second to put runners in scoring position for the Phoenix, but a strikeout ended the inning as the Camels escaped the jam.
• The Phoenix offense stepped up in the bottom of the fourth. Drew Menscer reached on an error with one out as Elon has a pair of runners on. Schaal then hit a double into right center to clear the bases and tie the game at 2-2. A passed ball moved Schaal to third before she scored on a Greta Hessenthaler single to center to give Elon the 3-2 advantage.
• Campbell knotted the game at three-all in the top of the fifth. The Camels loaded the bases with one out on three straight singles before a sac fly to center tied the contest.
• Elon had an opportunity to walk it off in the bottom of the seventh. Grant reached on a leadoff single before advancing to second on sac bunt. The Phoenix advanced to third on a groundout, but a strikeout would leave her there as the game went into extras.
• The Camels retook the lead with two outs in the top of the ninth. With a runner at second, Campbell hit a single into left field, with the runner sliding into home to put the Phoenix down 4-3.
• Elon fought back to get the tying run on base as Grant recorded her third hit on a one-out single up the middle. The Phoenix then got the potential winning run on base as Reagan Hartley reached on an infield single. Campbell however induced the final two outs on strikeouts to escape with the one-run win.
 
ON DECK
The Phoenix and the Camels return to the diamond to close out the series with a doubleheader on Sunday, March 24. The opening game is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will stream on FloSoftball.