CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - - A six-run first inning was too much for Belmont (5-16) to overcome as they fell on the road to Austin Peay, 1-6. The Bruins went 1-2 against regional rival APSU this season and fell to 3-5 against teams from the Ohio Valley Conference. Belmont will get a chance to improve that record tomorrow afternoon when they face Southeast Missouri State in a 1 p.m. doubleheader played at Tennessee State University.
After getting off to a hot start with a double to centerfield by freshman Mia Vierra (Palmdale, Calif.) and a walk from junior Hannah Irwin (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.), the Bruins left two runners on in the top of the first. In the bottom of the inning, Belmont surrendered six runs on six hits, falling behind 0-6. Devon Schmidt (Greenbrier, Tenn.) came on in relief of sophomore Becca Gift (Durham, N.C.) and pitched four no-hit innings in five innings of work, but the Bruins were never able to generate enough offense to complete a comeback. Belmont finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning when a double from Irwin scored Vierra to make it 1-6 Belmont.
The Bruins left eight runners on base throughout the game while manufacturing only one run on six hits. Belmont is now 1-2 when matching opponents in hitting totals. Five different players recorded at least one hit and junior Cassie Bollin (Madison, Tenn.) led the team with two hits on the night. Defensively, the Bruins committed no errors while Schmidt struck out a season-high seven batters while awarding only two walks.
The next action for Belmont is Thursday, March 17th, with a double-header against Southeast Missouri State. The games will be played at Tennessee State University with the first game set to begin at 1 p.m.
