ELON, N.C. – Seventh-ranked Duke took a 6-0 decision over the Elon University softball team on Tuesday evening, March 5, in an early-week game at Hunt Softball Park.
 
Elon (5-14) was swept by the Blue Devils (17-1) in the season series as Duke won its 17^th straight game overall.
 
AT THE PLATE
• Elon was held to two hits in the game as Drew Menscer and Ella Roberson accounted for a base hit each. Roberson's was a double as she was the lone Phoenix runner to reach scoring position.
 
IN THE CIRCLE
• Isley Duggins was credited with the loss in the circle, going to 1-1 on the year. The junior pitched 3.2 innings and allowed five runs with a pair of strikeouts.
 
THE RUNDOWN
• Duke plated four runs in the top of the first. The Blue Devils had the bases loaded with one out before Duke drove in its runs on a pair of singles and a sac fly to move ahead 4-0.
• Elon had a baserunner reach in the home half of the first. Carley Davis drew a four-pitch walk with two outs, but would get stranded after a popup ended the inning.
• The Blue Devils added another run in the top of the third. Duke scored on a two-out, RBI double to right center to push its advantage to 5-0.
• Another run was pushed across the dish in the top of the fifth for Duke. A fielding error on the Phoenix allowed a runner to score from second to put Elon down by six, 6-0.
• Elon would finally get on via a base hit in the bottom of the sixth. Menscer hit a two-out single up the middle to reach, but the Phoenix couldn't add to it as a flyout to left ended the inning.
• The Phoenix had a runner reach scoring position in the bottom of the seventh. Roberson drove a two-out double into center as Elon looked to tack on a run. The Blue Devils induced the final out on a grounder to third to secure the shutout victory.
 
ON DECK
The Phoenix opens CAA play this weekend, March 8-10, versus Piedmont Triad rival North Carolina A&T. The three-game set is scheduled to begin on Friday, March 8 at 5 p.m. at Hunt Softball Park.