GREENVILLE, N.C. – The Elon softball team struck first on the scoreboard but could not respond to 10 unanswered runs by East Carolina, falling to the Pirates 10-1 on Tuesday in a nonconference matchup.
 
Elon fell to 9-18 overall while ECU improved to 20-10.
 
At the Plate

• Elon was held to one hit in the contest, which came from the bat of Payton Swart on a single in the second inning.
• Lani Wyrick scored the lone run of the game for Elon, which also drew three walks against the Pirates.

In the Circle

• Kyra Leonard was handed the loss to fall to 0-2 on the season.
• The junior was one of three pitchers who saw action in the circle for Elon along with Lia Miller and Abbie Gaynor.
• Miller struck out two batters in her inning of work.

The Rundown
The Phoenix took the lead early in the first inning as Elon saw its first two runners reach on walks before the first out was recorded. An errant throw on a stolen base attempt by Lani Wyrick at third allowed her to score and plate the first run of the game.
 
The Pirates responded with a two-run bottom of the first to take the lead. ECU loaded the bases before scoring on a sacrifice fly and a fielder's choice to move ahead 2-1.
 
ECU broke the game open with a five-run bottom of the third to take a 7-1 lead. The Pirates added to their advantage on four RBI singles and a Phoenix error.
 
Three more runs crossed for the Pirates in the bottom of the fourth to make the score 10-1. Elon put a runner on base in the top of the fifth but could not add any runs as ECU closed out the game with the 10-1 win via run rule.
 
On Deck
Elon continues its road trip with a CAA series at UNCW, with the three-game set running Friday through Sunday.