Feb. 27, 2010
Final Stats
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Belmont (0-7-0) could not overcome a six run fifth inning by Jackson State (3-7-0) and fell to the Tigers in extra innings by a score of 9-8. The Bruins started strong and led the game through four innings before giving up the six runs in the fifth inning. The game was the first of four games for the Bruins in the Southern Mississippi Tournament taking place in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Jackson State scored the first run of the game in the first inning when a Wendi Reed single drove in Farren Wright to go up by one run.
Belmont responded in the bottom half of the inning with three runs of their own. With the bases loaded, senior Erin Gier (Asheville, N.C.) hit a sacrifice fly to center field to drive in fellow senior Brooke Babington (Johnston City, Ill.). Later in the inning, Julie Harmon's (Brentwood, Tenn.) single drove in Amanda Buntin (Brentwood, Tenn.) and Hannah Irwin (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) to go up by two scores.
Belmont added to their lead in the second inning when senior Brooke Babington hit a two run homerun to right field that increased their lead to four runs.
After four innings of allowing only one run, Jackson State's offense woke up in the fifth inning. The Tigers were able to score six runs in the top of the fifth inning to go ahead in the game by two runs.
Belmont cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fifth inning when Ashley Byers (Westerville, Ohio) continued her stellar start to the 2010 season by hitting a solo homerun.
The Tigers and Bruins traded runs in the sixth inning. Jackson State's Amanda Boggan singled to left field to drive in one run, and Belmont's Brooke Babington singled to left field to drive in Cassie Bollin (Madison, Tenn.)for the score.
The Tiger's looked threatening in the top of the seventh inning when they were able to get runners on second and third with two outs in the inning. Nevertheless, Bruin's pitcher Julie Harmon was able to get the final Tiger's batter to ground out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Brittanie Talley came on to pitch for the Tigers nursing a one run lead. Sophomore Ashley Byers, who had batted 1 for 2 with a homerun in the game, was up to lead off the inning and drew a walk.
After the walk, freshman Courtney Elrod (Clarksville, Tenn.) came in to pinch run for Byers and was picked off stealing second base. The next Bruin's batter struck out, leaving Belmont with only one out remaining to draw even with the Tigers.
Junior Julie Harmon drew a walk with two outs to bring senior Dawn Thoni (Franklin, Tenn.), who led the team in batting during the 2009 season, to the plate.
With two strikes, Thoni came through with an RBI double to tie the game at eight runs and send the game into extra innings.
After a scoreless eighth inning, Brittanie Talley singled up the middle to drive in one run for the Tigers.
Down one run again in the bottom of the ninth with one out, senior Brooke Babington was on third base with Ashley Smith (Helena, Ala.) up to bat. Smith hit a long drive out to the left fielder who turned the game ending double play by throwing out Babington at home.
Despite the loss, several Bruins had good days at the plate. Senior Brooke Babington batted three for five with one homerun, three RBI, and two runs scored. Junior Julie Harmon also recorded multiple RBI, and Dawn Thoni came through with a clutch two out double to extend the game into extra innings. Ashley Byers also continued her stellar 2010 campaign by knocking in her third homerun of the season.
The Bruins will immediately take the field again against Central Arkansas in the second game of the Southern Mississippi Tournament. They will also compete again on Sunday, Feb. 28 against Indiana and host Southern Mississippi.
