CLEMSON, S.C. – Villanova softball finished out its trip at the Clemson Classic with a morning matchup against Elon, falling 6-2 to the Phoenix on Sunday.

Maranda Runco provided the only run support for Villanova (5-8), belting a two-run, fourth-inning homer. Maddie Burrows reached base twice on a single, walk and a run scored, with Kelsey White and Ava Mahnken each contributing doubles on the day.

Kat Gallant went four innings as VU's starting pitcher, striking out three and allowing a pair of runs. Lexi Kobryn threw one-plus frames in relief, surrendering a grand slam as the losing pitcher while Runco got the other two outs in the circle.

Elon connected on the first two blows of the ballgame, stringing together hits in the first and third innings to generate runs and take a 2-0 lead into the fourth.

The 'Cats took that all back in just one swing with Burrows drawing a leadoff four-pitch walk before Runco sent her side's first dinger of the weekend out to right center for a level contest at 2-2. 

Just after Runco's bomb, White battled through a seven-pitch at bat before putting a double down the line and moved up to third on a groundout but got caught trying to nab home and kept it a tie game.

The Phoenix made the most of three sixth-inning walks, taking a 6-2 lead on a grand slam. The 'Cats got a pair of baserunners in their final hacks on a throwing error and Mahnken double, but three straight popouts ended the weekend without a VU victory.

UP NEXT: Villanova heads to Salem, Virginia next weekend for the Hokie Invite, playing five games against four different teams from Feb. 28 to Mar. 2 at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex.