MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Belmont softball team (5-3) turned in another pair of strong performances to earn a split on the second day of the ASU Hornet Invitational. The Bruins were edged 1-0 by UNC Greensboro (6-1) before dominating host-Alabama State (0-8), 10-0, in five innings.
The rematch between Belmont and UNC Greensboro one again turned into a one-run battle. The teams remained stalemated at 0-0 through the first two and a half innings of action. Finally, the Spartans sprang to life in the bottom of the third inning, tallying what would become the lone run of the entire contest, propelled back-to-back doubles. BU wrapped the game with only two hits courtesy of juniors Mia Vierra (Palmdale, Calif.) and Ashley Hammer (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.).
Vierra and freshman Carolyn Snodgress (Torrance, Calif.) both saw time inside the circle, with each notching a strikeout.
The Bruins fared better in their nightcap against host-Alabama State. Belmont went on to take its first contest in five innings after recording runs in each of the five innings. Sophomore Kirbie Ferrell (Pasadena, Texas) got things rolling in the first inning and Belmont never looked back.
Also picking up runs for the Bruins against ASU were sophomore Kat Hollingsworth (Carrollton, Texas), Hammer, and Ferrell with two each and juniors Vierra and Kim Johnson (Tucson, Ariz.) and sophomores Heather Turner (Rosenburg, Texas), Amanda Criscione (Upland, Calif.) tallying one apiece.
For the day, Hollingsworth led BU, batting .429. Vierra and Hammer each hit .400 over the two contests.
Belmont returns to action next weekend with a stop at the University of Memphis hosted Blues City Classic.
