MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Despite jumping out to an early lead, the Belmont softball team (14-32, 4-19 OVC) saw a late rally fall just short on the road at Morehead State (23-19, 9-11 OVC) on Sunday afternoon. The Bruins were edged 5-4 by the Eagles.
The Bruins struck first in the top of the second inning, putting two runs on the board. Junior Mia Vierra (Palmdale, Calif.) knocked a single deep to left. Junior Ashley Hammer (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) followed with her third homerun of the season to score them both and put BU on top 2-0 early.
BU continued to keep Morehead State off the board and rallied again in the top of the fourth. Vierra connected, singling up the middle before a pop up by Hammer was misplayed by two Eagle outfielders. A mistimed throw on the same play advanced the pair into scoring position.
In the bottom of the fifth, MSU finally got on the board behind back-to-back homeruns over the left field fence to knot the score 2-2. The Eagles then used a pair of singles to score again to go up, 3-2. In the top of the sixth, the Bruins had a great opportunity to regain the lead, loading the bases after a sophomore Kat Hollingsworth (Carrollton, Texas) single, a double by freshman Jessica Wilson (Alvin, Texas) and Vierra reaching after being hit by a pitch. Unfortunately, the trio was stranded on the next at bat.
Belmont managed to contain the hot bats of Morehead State over the next inning and looked to rally in the top of the seventh. Sophomores Kirbie Ferrell (Pasadena, Texas) and Heather Turner (Rosenburg, Texas) notched back-to-back singles. Hollingsworth delivered once again at the plate, this time with a double to left to send her classmates over the plate, trimming the MSU lead to one run, 5-4. A wild pitch moved Hollingsworth to third but the next batter was unable to send her over the plate to tie the game and the Bruins were edged by the same score.
Junior Mia Vierra (Palmdale, Calif.) went 2-for-2 at the plate while classmate Ashley Hammer (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) batted .667 with a homerun. Sophomores Kat Hollingsworth (Carrollton, Texas) and Kirbie Ferrell (Pasadena, Texas) each hit .500 on the day.
Inside the circle, freshman Carolyn Snodgress (Torrance, Calif.) and Vierra split time.
Belmont returns to action on Thursday at in-state rival MTSU. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m. Live stats and a live Twitter feed (@BelmontSoftball) will be available.
