ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team closed out its weekend at the Liberty Softball Classic on Sunday, Feb. 26, at Liberty Softball Stadium. The Phoenix played a pair of games on the day, falling to Marshall, 7-3, before dropping a 6-4 decision to host Liberty in its nightcap.
 
The two losses dropped Elon's record to 5-10 on the season. Marshall improved to 11-3 overall while the Flames swept the field to move to 5-9.
 
Game One: Marshall 7, Elon 3
The Herd took the early lead in the first inning on a two-out, RBI single to center field. Marshall proceeded to add three more runs to the scoreboard in the top of the third on a two-run home run and a RBI double that gave the Phoenix an 4-0 disadvantage.
 
Elon responded to add its first run of the game in the home half of the fifth. Claudia Penny drove a two-out double to right center, scoring Carley Davis who reached earlier on a walk. Another walk to Allee Seering gave the Phoenix a pair of runners on base, but a ground out left them stranded.
 
Both teams scored two runs each in the sixth inning as the Phoenix kept it a three-run game after its two-spot in the home half. Marshall added an insurance run on a leadoff solo home run in the seventh to push its lead to four, 7-3. The Phoenix was set down in order in the bottom of the frame as Marshall took the victory.
 
Elon tied Marshall with seven hits in the game while both teams left 10 runners stranded on base. Penny (2-of-4) and Chloe Hatzopoulos (2-of-3) both had multi-hit games for the Phoenix with Penny driving in the lone RBI for the maroon and gold.
 
Starter McKenna McCard was credited with the loss to fall to 1-2 on the season. Isley Duggins pitched the majority of the game for the Phoenix as the sophomore struck out five batters.
 
Game Two: Liberty 6, Elon 4
The Flames got off to a fast start in Elon's second game of the day. Liberty opened the contest with back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the first inning en route to a three-spot in the opening frame and a 3-0 lead.
 
Liberty added two more runs in its half of the second. A pair of two-out RBI singles put the Phoenix in a 5-0 hole with Elon looking to keep pace with the Flames.
 
Both teams went into a scoring lull for the next two innings before Elon responded to cut into Liberty's lead in the top of the fifth. Hatzopoulos drove a one-out double down the left field line and moved to third on an error with Reagan Hartley reaching on the play. Hartley later stole second to move into scoring position before the Phoenix loaded the bases on a walk to Drew Menscer. Megan Grant cleared the bases on a three-RBI double to left center, making it a two-run game with one out. Grant advanced to third on a groundout on the next at bat, but would be left there as a lineout ended the inning.
 
Elon kept the rally going in the top of the sixth. The Phoenix loaded the bases again on an error and a pair of singles by Bella Devesa and Payton Swart. Liberty induced the next two outs via strikeouts, but Elon was able to tack on a run via a walk to Menscer to enable a runner to cross the dish with the bags still full. The Phoenix could not drive in the tying run however as a fielder's choice closed out the frame.
 
The Flames got the run back in the bottom of the sixth off a Phoenix error to push its lead back to two, 6-4. Liberty looked to add more insurance runs in the inning as it sat with one out, but Elon induced a double play to give itself a chance heading into the final inning.
 
Penny would reach on a single with one out to give the Phoenix the tying run at the plate in the seventh. A fielder's choice and a foul out however would cut short Elon's rally as the Flames closed out its tournament with the 6-4 win.
 
Elon outhit the Flames, 7-6, with Penny adding her second multi-hit game of the day after going 2-of-4 at the plate. Grant added a season-high three RBI with Menscer also adding an RBI with a pair of walks.
 
Meredith Wells (1-2) pitched a complete game for Elon. The junior allowed six hits and six runs, but three of those were earned.
 
On Deck
Elon is back on its home diamond at Hunt Softball Park, welcoming East Carolina on Wednesday, March 1. That game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start.