ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team began play at the Clemson Classic on Friday morning, Feb. 21. The Phoenix would fall in its first game to Marshall, 5-0, before being handed a 4-3 setback versus host Clemson in its nightcap at McWhorter Stadium.
 
The two losses drop the Phoenix's overall record to 3-7 on the season.
 
Marshall 5, Elon 0
The Thundering Herd plated the first run of the contest in the top of the opening frame. Marshall scored off a one-out double down the right field line, taking an early 1-0 advantage.
 
Both teams would be held scoreless over the next two innings, but Marshall added to its lead in the top of the fourth. A leadoff, solo home run doubled the Thundering Herd's lead to 2-0 before Elon was able to retire the side to end the frame.
 
Another Marshall homer added to Elon's deficit as a two-run, round tripper put the Phoenix down 4-0 in the top of the fifth. The Thundering Herd added their third home run of the game in the top of the sixth with another solo home run to add to Marshall's lead, 5-0.
 
Elon could not get much done offensively as the Phoenix was held to three hits in the game. Gabi Schaal had one of those base knocks, a double in the bottom of the first. Greta Hessenthaler and Kayla Wilson added the other hits for the maroon and gold.
 
McKenna McCard fell to 1-2 on the season after the senior pitched 4.0 innings and allowed two earned runs with a strikeout.
 
Clemson 4, Elon 3
After being held in check in its previous game, the Elon offense answered quickly in its matchup versus the Tigers. In the top of the first, Hessenthaler reached on a hit-by-pitch before Allee Seering blasted a two-run, home run over the left field wall to put the Phoenix ahead 2-0.
 
Clemson however tied the game at 2-2 in the home half of the fourth. The Tigers scored on a two-out single up the middle with the bases loaded, enabling a pair of runs to score and knot the game.
 
Elon got its lead back in the top of the fifth. Lani Wyrick led off the inning on a single before advancing to second off a sac bunt. She would score on a Chloe Hatzopoulos RBI double to right center as Elon retook the lead, 3-2.
 
The Phoenix got into a jam in the bottom half of the fifth. Clemson had its first two runners of the frame reach on a walk and a hit-by-pitch before Elon made a change in the circle with Taylor Cherry coming in for Isley Duggins. Cherry promptly struck out the next two hitters before inducing the third out on a fly out to keep the Phoenix in front.
 
The Tigers would break through to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Clemson scored on a two-out single to center field with the bases loaded as a pair of runs would cross the dish. The two-RBI single gave Clemson a 4-3 lead going into the final frame.
 
Elon looked the rally in the top of the seventh, but saw its bats get retired in order as Clemson hung on for the 4-3 win.
 
The Phoenix had three hits in its second game of the day. Seering added her third homer of the season while Hatzopoulos had her third double of the year, the second-most on the team.
 
Cherry was credited with the loss in the circle, falling to 0-2 on the season. The redshirt junior allowed two earned runs in 2.0 innings while striking out four. Duggins pitched 4.0 frames to start the game with the Burlington, N.C., native allowing two earned runs with a pair of strikeouts.
 
On Deck
Elon will have one game on the second day at the Clemson Classic as the Phoenix will face Villanova tomorrow, Feb. 22. Opening pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.