MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Despite strong effort at the plate and inside the circle, the Belmont softball team (14-31, 4-18 OVC) dropped a pair on the road at Morehead State (22-19) on Saturday. The Bruins were edged in game one after a late rally, 3-2, and were held off 3-0 in the second game.
Junior MJ Lawson (Tucson, Ariz.) got things started for the Bruins in the top of the third after singling down the right field line. Sophomore Amanda Criscione (Upland, Calif.) came in to pinch run and was immediately sent over the plate after a double to left by classmate Heather Turner (Rosenburg, Texas). However, the Eagles were able to knot the score with a homerun in the bottom of the same inning.
MSU went on to add two more runs to take a 3-1 lead by the fourth inning. Finally, the Bruins were able to get some production off their bats after stranding a pair of batters through the middle innings. In the top of the sixth, sophomore Kat Hollingsworth (Carrollton, Texas) solo homered to notch her 11th long ball of the season as the ball sailed over the right fence to trim the Morehead State lead down to one run, 3-2. Junior Mia Vierra (Palmdale, Calif.) looked like she would duplicate the feat over the left fence but an Eagle outfielder crashed into the wall to grab the out to help them hold on to the two-run lead.
The Bruins attempted another rally in the top of the seventh with two outs on the board. Ferrell singled up the middle but was eventually stranded as Belmont fell, 3-2.
Game two saw the Bruins get a runner into scoring position first. Hollingsworth singled up the middle and stole second to get things started. A hit by Vierra put runners on the corners but strong pitching by Morehead State helped keep a Bruin from crossing the plate. The Eagles hustled to take a 1-0 lead by the bottom of the third inning.
In the top of the fourth, freshman Jessica Wilson (Alvin, Texas) singled to left and Vierra reached on four balls to begin a two out rally but the two were stranded as the Eagles leaned on strong pitching to hold the Bruins at bay. Morehead State went on to notch runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to pull away 3-0.
Belmont would attempt one more rally in the seventh. With two outs on the board, the Bruins saw Criscione reach after she was hit by a pitch. Ferrell followed with a single to left and a sacrifice hit by junior Ashley Hammer (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) moved the pair into scoring position. Unfortunately, BU was unable to either of them over the plate and it fell 3-0 in the nightcap.
For the day, Ferrell hit .571, going 4-for-7, to lead the Bruins. Hollingsworth batted .400 with two hits, including a homerun.
Inside the circle, Vierra finished with a 1.17 ERA and two strikeouts after six innings of work. Junior Brittanie Albright (Franklin, Tenn.) saw 4.2 innings of work. Freshman Taylor Moon (Vestavia, Ala.) and sophomore Katie Clancy (Pasadena, Calif.) combined for 1.1 innings of relief.
Belmont returns to action on Sunday for the rubber game at Morehead State. First pitch is scheduled for Noon CT. Live stats and a live Twitter feed (@BelmontSoftball) will be available.
