NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont (3-16, 0-0) picked up two much needed wins over Alabama A&M in the 2012 home opener at Rose Park on Saturday. The Bruins, who have struggled offensively in recent weeks, amassed 18 hits and scored 14 runs on the day behind a strong showing from the freshmen class. Belmont will finish the three game series with AAMU on Sunday afternoon, with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
The Bruins experienced an offensive explosion in game one, recording 10 hits and scoring 11 runs. Freshman Kat Hollingsworth, who was one of the most productive players on the day, joined fellow freshman Heather Turner in leading the team with two hits each in the first game. Six other Bruins recorded hits in the game, including a three-run home run from senior Amanda Buntin. It was her first home run of the season and the third of her career. Sophomore pitcher Mia Vierra turned in a solid performance in the circle, pitching the first shutout of the season, recording three strikeouts while allowing only one walk to earn her first win of the season. Belmont scored four runs in the bottom of the second and two more in the bottom of the third to build a 6-0 lead. The Bruins then added five runs in the fourth inning to reach the final 11-0 margin. With three outs in the top of the fifth, Belmont took the 11-0 win in five innings.
Game two was more of a defensive battle, as both teams were even offensively with eight hits. Alabama A&M jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The lead could have been more, but junior pitcher Rebecca Gift was able to get herself out of trouble with the help of the Bruin defense. The Bulldogs had bases loaded with only one out before Gift forced a fly out followed by a ground out to get out of the inning without further damage. The Bruins responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning, cutting the lead to 1-2. Belmont added another run in the bottom of the third to tie the game. Three scoreless innings followed as the defensive battle continued. Belmont manufactured the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning following a lead-off single from freshman Amanda Criscione. Senior Hannah Irwin moved Criscione to second with a sacrifice bunt, putting a runner in scoring position with only one out. Criscione then stole third. Freshman Kat Hollingsworth recorded her second double of the day, which scored Criscione and gave Belmont the win.
Belmont will complete the three game series with Alabama A&M with a single game on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The series is part of a five game home stand, which follows 17 straight road games for the Bruins. Live stats, full game recaps, schedule information, box scores and season statistics are all available at www.belmontbruins.com. Fans can also follow the team on Twitter by searching @BelmontSoftball.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont (3-16, 0-0) picked up two much needed wins over Alabama A&M in the 2012 home opener at Rose Park on Saturday. The Bruins, who have struggled offensively in recent weeks, amassed 18 hits and scored 14 runs on the day behind a strong showing from the freshmen class. Belmont will finish the three game series with AAMU on Sunday afternoon, with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
The Bruins experienced an offensive explosion in game one, recording 10 hits and scoring 11 runs. Freshman Kat Hollingsworth, who was one of the most productive players on the day, joined fellow freshman Heather Turner in leading the team with two hits each in the first game. Six other Bruins recorded hits in the game, including a three-run home run from senior Amanda Buntin. It was her first home run of the season and the third of her career. Sophomore pitcher Mia Vierra turned in a solid performance in the circle, pitching the first shutout of the season, recording three strikeouts while allowing only one walk to earn her first win of the season. Belmont scored four runs in the bottom of the second and two more in the bottom of the third to build a 6-0 lead. The Bruins then added five runs in the fourth inning to reach the final 11-0 margin. With three outs in the top of the fifth, Belmont took the 11-0 win in five innings.
Game two was more of a defensive battle, as both teams were even offensively with eight hits. Alabama A&M jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The lead could have been more, but junior pitcher Rebecca Gift was able to get herself out of trouble with the help of the Bruin defense. The Bulldogs had bases loaded with only one out before Gift forced a fly out followed by a ground out to get out of the inning without further damage. The Bruins responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning, cutting the lead to 1-2. Belmont added another run in the bottom of the third to tie the game. Three scoreless innings followed as the defensive battle continued. Belmont manufactured the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning following a lead-off single from freshman Amanda Criscione. Senior Hannah Irwin moved Criscione to second with a sacrifice bunt, putting a runner in scoring position with only one out. Criscione then stole third. Freshman Kat Hollingsworth recorded her second double of the day, which scored Criscione and gave Belmont the win.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont (3-16, 0-0) picked up two much needed wins over Alabama A&M in the 2012 home opener at Rose Park on Saturday. The Bruins, who have struggled offensively in recent weeks, amassed 18 hits and scored 14 runs on the day behind a strong showing from the freshmen class. Belmont will finish the three game series with AAMU on Sunday afternoon, with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
The Bruins experienced an offensive explosion in game one, recording 10 hits and scoring 11 runs. Freshman Kat Hollingsworth, who was one of the most productive players on the day, joined fellow freshman Heather Turner in leading the team with two hits each in the first game. Six other Bruins recorded hits in the game, including a three-run home run from senior Amanda Buntin. It was her first home run of the season and the third of her career. Sophomore pitcher Mia Vierra turned in a solid performance in the circle, pitching the first shutout of the season, recording three strikeouts while allowing only one walk to earn her first win of the season. Belmont scored four runs in the bottom of the second and two more in the bottom of the third to build a 6-0 lead. The Bruins then added five runs in the fourth inning to reach the final 11-0 margin. With three outs in the top of the fifth, Belmont took the 11-0 win in five innings.
Game two was more of a defensive battle, as both teams were even offensively with eight hits. Alabama A&M jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The lead could have been more, but junior pitcher Rebecca Gift was able to get herself out of trouble with the help of the Bruin defense. The Bulldogs had bases loaded with only one out before Gift forced a fly out followed by a ground out to get out of the inning without further damage. The Bruins responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning, cutting the lead to 1-2. Belmont added another run in the bottom of the third to tie the game. Three scoreless innings followed as the defensive battle continued. Belmont manufactured the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning following a lead-off single from freshman Amanda Criscione. Senior Hannah Irwin moved Criscione to second with a sacrifice bunt, putting a runner in scoring position with only one out. Criscione then stole third. Freshman Kat Hollingsworth recorded her second double of the day, which scored Criscione and gave Belmont the win.
Belmont will complete the three game series with Alabama A&M with a single game on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The series is part of a five game home stand, which follows 17 straight road games for the Bruins. Live stats, full game recaps, schedule information, box scores and season statistics are all available at www.belmontbruins.com. Fans can also follow the team on Twitter by searching @BelmontSoftball.
Belmont will complete the three game series with Alabama A&M with a single game on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The series is part of a five game home stand, which follows 17 straight road games for the Bruins. Live stats, full game recaps, schedule information, box scores and season statistics are all available at www.belmontbruins.com. Fans can also follow the team on Twitter by searching @BelmontSoftball.
