NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Literally coming down to the last out to have a chance to pull out a win in game two, the Belmont softball team (14-29, 4-16 OVC) pulled off an incredible come from behind win over visiting Murray State (19-24, 10-10 OVC) on Sunday afternoon at Rose Park. After falling in game one, 4-2, the Bruins rallied in the nightcap to win 3-2.
Game one was a back and forth defensive battle through the first three innings. Finally the 0-0 stalemate would be snapped in the fourth inning. Murray State saw its bats heat up with back-to-back singles to left before a sacrifice fly moved the runners into scoring position. A single by Leslie Bridges netted her a pair of RBI and gave the Racers a 2-0 lead before they added two more to pull away 4-0.
Belmont rallied in the bottom of the same inning, putting two runs over the plate after sophomore Heather Turner (Rosenburg, Texas) knocked a double down the right line. Classmate Kat Hollingsworth (Carrollton, Texas) reached on four balls before a single by freshman Jordan Daly (Humble, Texas) loaded the bases. A sacrifice fly by junior Mia Vierra (Palmdale, Calif.) scored Hammer to cut the MSU lead to three runs. Two batters later, freshman Jordan Daly (Humble, Texas) singled, loading the bases once again before junior MJ Lawson (Tucson, Ariz.) reached on four balls, walking in the Bruins' second run of the game.
Despite several surges and near scoring opportunities down the stretch, the Bruins were unable to get another run over the plate and fell, 4-2.
Game two saw the Bruins waste little time putting runs on the board. Junior Ashley Hammer (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) smashed her first triple of the season to open the bottom of the first inning of play. Heather Turner used a sacrifice fly to send Hammer over the plate to put BU on top 1-0.
Murray State fired back in the top of the third inning, overtaking the lead with a pair of runs scored. The Bruins remained one run down for three and a half innings before launching their final rally attempt in the bottom of the seventh.
Sophomore Kirbie Ferrell (Pasadena, Texas) got things started with a hard hit single that the MSU shortstop stumbled to field. The next two batters made contact but were unable to get on base. With two outs on the board, the lot fell to Hollingsworth to try to win the game for Belmont. On the second pitch thrown, she launched a ball deep to left field and the Bruin faithful rose to their feet as the ball sailed over the fence, giving BU the 3-2 victory with Hollingsworth's 10 homerun of the season.
For the day, Hollingsworth led the Bruins, batting .500 with two runs, three hits, a homerun and two RBI. Senior Courtney Elrod also hit .500 while junior Ashley Hammer (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) finished the pair of games batting .429 with one run, three hits, a double and a triple.
Inside the circle, junior Mia Vierra picked up the win in the nightcap, throwing seven innings and fanning two batters. Classmate Brittanie Albright (Franklin, Tenn.), sophomore Katie Clancy and freshman Taylor Moon (Vestavia, Ala.) also saw time.
Belmont returns to action next weekend on the road at Morehead State for a trio of games. Saturday's doubleheader is set to begin at Noon.
