NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont (4-16) needed mental toughness and perseverance to get past Alabama A&M on Sunday afternoon at Rose Park for the final game of the three game weekend series. The Bruins rallied twice, once in the bottom of the third to take a 3-2 lead, and again in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 3-3 tie with a three-run inning to reach the final 6-3 margin.
Belmont recorded five hits on the day, two less than AAMU, but committed only one error. The Bruins got offensive help from the Bulldogs in the bottom of the third, scoring two unearned runs to move ahead 3-2. Five different players recorded a hit for Belmont, while sophomore MJ Lawson led the Bruins with two runs and senior Ashley Byers recorded two RBIs. The Bruins had a solid pitching effort from freshman Katie Clancy who made her first home start of the season and pitched three innings. Sophomore Mia Vierra concluded a strong weekend from the circle, pitching 4.0 innings and allowing only two hits and one run, with two strikeouts and no walks. Vierra picked up her second win of the weekend and of the season with the 6-3 decision.
Sophomore Kat Hollingsworth capped an impressive weekend with one hit and one RBI today. For the series Hollingsworth hit .625, with five hits in eight at bats, two runs and four RBIs. Senior Hannah Irwin continued her consistent play for Belmont, driving in two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to provide some cushion for the Bruins. Irwin reached base in all four plate appearances on the day. She walked to start the game, reached on an error by AAMU in the third, was hit by a pitch in the fifth, and then doubled in the sixth inning. Irwin also came around to score in the bottom of the third inning. After posting season highs in hits and runs yesterday, the Bruins made every hit count today, scoring six runs on only five hits.
Belmont will continue a five-game home stand on Thursday with a doubleheader against Eastern Illinois. The first pitch at Rose Park is scheduled for 4 p.m. The Bruins will stay in Nashville for the Tennessee State Tiger Classic next weekend. Belmont will play St. Bonaventure on Friday night, and then take on Ohio State and Mississippi Valley State on Saturday. The Bruins will conclude with Mississippi Valley State on Sunday morning. All schedule information, as well as links to live stats, full recaps, box scores and season statistics are available at www.belmontbruins.com. Fans can also follow the team on Twitter by searching @BelmontSoftball.
