Fordham Softball continued their early season non-conference slate this past weekend at the Elon Softball Phoenix Invitational in Elon, N.C. The Rams dropped their opening three games at the invitational to Elon University, Michigan State University and James Madison University, but finished the weekend on a strong note with a big win over Saint Francis University.

Coming off a four-loss weekend last time out in Florida, Fordham were unable to start strongly in Elon. Against the hosts, the Rams were only able to muster four hits, with two coming from sophomore Mary Grace O’Neill and two from junior Julia Petrovich. O’Neill’s single in the fifth inning drove home freshman Kate McGuire to give Fordham a 1-0 lead. Senior Devon Miller held Elon at bay until the fifth, when she surrendered two earned runs. Elon then tacked on another in the sixth to secure the 3-1 victory.

Looking to bounce back early on Saturday morning, the Rams found themselves matched up with a strong Michigan State team. The Spartans jumped on Fordham early, striking three times in the second against junior Bailey Enoch. Enoch was unable to make it through the fourth inning, ultimately surrendering seven earned runs on eight hits and three walks.

Fordham got two runs back in the fifth thanks to a two-run bomb from Petrovich, but it was too little, too late for the Rams as Michigan State walked away with an 8-2 win.

The afternoon cap of Fordham’s Saturday doubleheader against James Madison wasn’t any easier. This time, though, Fordham started strong offensively. Graduate student Julia Martine and senior Michaela Carter scored on a fielding error in the first to make 2-0 Rams. Petrovich then made it 3-0 an inning later on an RBI groundout that scored graduate student Sarah Taffet.

JMU responded in a flash, scoring eight unanswered runs to win the game 8-3. It was a rough afternoon in the circle for sophomore Emilee Watkins, who surrendered seven earned runs in just over four innings of work. As a team, Fordham managed seven hits compared to JMU’s eight, but the Rams left seven runners stranded on base and were unable to turn those hits into runs.

Fordham had one last chance to end the weekend on a positive note against Saint Francis on Sunday. That’s exactly what they did, as the Rams walked away with a 3-0 victory. Freshman Holly Beeman was superb in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just three hits and no walks. This was Beeman’s second consecutive fantastic start, as she nearly tossed a no-hitter against Prairie View A&M in her first career start last weekend.

Fordham got their offense through a scrappy second inning. O’Neill knocked in an RBI fielder’s choice, while Carter drew a run-scoring walk and Taffet drove in another on a groundout. Those three runs were enough for the Rams, who rode Beeman’s impressive shutout to their second victory of the season.

The Rams are back in the Carolinas next weekend for more out-of-conference play at the Winthrop Garnet & Gold in Rock Hill, S.C. Currently sitting at 2-7, Fordham will be looking to kick start their season into gear.