NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- After turning in a strong performance to open Tuesday's doubleheader with in-state rival Memphis (15-26), the Belmont softball team (12-17) split with the visiting Tigers in the nightcap. The Bruins won game one, 7-0, notching their fourth shutout of the season before falling 2-0 in the nightcap.
The Bruins leaned on a combination of strong pitching and great defensive plays to keep Memphis scoreless for the first three innings of action. Belmont was able to notch its first runs of the contest in the bottom of the third. Junior Mia Vierra (Palmdale, Calif.) and sophomore Kirbie Ferrell (Pasadena, Texas) got things started with back-to-back doubles to notch BU's first run of the day. Things got interesting as the Bruins took advantage of some defensive miscues. Sophomore Amanda Criscione (Upland, Calif.) reached after being hit by a pitch and junior Ashley Hammer (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) singled to right, opening the door for sophomore Amanda Criscione (Upland, Calif.) and Ferrell to score on a Memphis throwing error.
Belmont added three more runs in the following inning after freshman Jessica Wilson (Alvin, Texas) reached on a UM error and back-to-back singles by senior Becca Gift (Durham, N.C.) and freshman Jordan Daly (Humble, Texas) netted an RBI. A well placed bunt by Ferrell and a hard hit single by Criscione added two more runs, giving Belmont a 6-0 advantage. The Bruins went on to add one more run in the shutout victory in the bottom of the fifth when a double to left by Gift scored sophomore Kat Hollingsworth (Carrollton, Texas). BU buckled down in the final two innings to keep Memphis off the board and secure the 7-0 win.
In the nightcap, Memphis worked for a complete reversal of fortune and was the first to get on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning after an untimely throwing error opened the door for a runner to cross the plate. The Tigers were able to notch a second run in the top of the fifth after a triple by Lelani Bernandino sent Hannah Harrell home.
Belmont worked to stay within striking distance in the late innings, stranding numerous Memphis base runners. Unfortunately, the Bruins were unable to duplicate their hot hitting of game one down the stretch and were held off 2-0.
For the day, sophomore Kirbie Ferrell (Pasadena, Texas) went 5-for-7, batting .714 with a double, a triple and two RBI. Gift batted .500 with a double and an RBI.
Inside the circle, junior Brittanie Albright (Franklin, Tenn.) picked up the win in game one, collecting three strikeouts in five innings of work. Freshman Carolyn Snodgress (Torrance, Calif.) tossed six innings in the nightcap and fanned one batter. Classmate Taylor Moon (Vestavia, Ala.) logged three innings in relief and recorded one strikeout.
Belmont returns to OVC action this weekend with a pair of doubleheaders on the road. The Bruins face off at Eastern Illinois on Saturday for games beginning at Noon and travel for game at SIU Edwardsville on Sunday for games beginning at 1 p.m. Live stats and a Twitter feed (@BelmontSoftball) will be available for all of the contests.
