NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont softball dropped a heartbreaking, 3-2, decision to Butler University on a cold Friday late afternoon in its first game of the 2014 Music City Classic at Rose Park.
The Bruins were first to light up the scoreboard as a single by senior shortstop Ashley Hammer (Mt. Juliet, Ill.) drove in outfielder Heather Turner (Rosenburg, Tex.) in the third inning to give Belmont a 1-0 advantage.
Belmont held on to that slim advantage thanks to an outstanding effort by pitcher Taylor Moon (Vestavia, Ala.) as the sophomore threw a no-hitter through the first six innings.
Unfortunately the no-hit effort was spoiled in the top of the seventh when BU's Maria Leichty singled to left field. That hit was followed by another as Brandyce Sallee doubled to left field driving in Leichty as the Bulldogs tied the score at 1.
In the home half of the seventh, Belmont's Hollingsworth fouled out to left field with a runner in scoring position, sending the game into extra innings.
In the eight inning, Butler scored a pair of runs off a pair of hits in order to pull ahead, 3-1, in the contest.
With two outs in the home side of the eighth, senior Mia Vierra (Palmdale, Calif.) drove in Hollingsworth to pull Belmont to within a run, 3-2.
The Bruins failed to make a comeback, however, as Moon grounded out on the following at bat and Butler held on for the thrilling opening day victory.
Moon (0-1) pitched a complete game allowing three runs off four hits.
Belmont (0-1) returns to action tomorrow as the Bruins play a pair of games on the second day of the 2014 Music City Classic. The Bruins will kick off the day with a 10 p.m. contest with Detroit Mercy followed by a 12:30 p.m. bout with ETSU.
Schedule Note
Due to weather, Saturday's contests at Rose Park have been pushed back an hour.
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014
Belmont vs. Detroit 10:00 AM | Live Stats
ETSU vs. Belmont 12:30 PM | Live Stats
Detroit vs. Butler 3:00 PM | Live Stats
Butler vs. ETSU 5:30 PM | Live Stats
Music City Classic Central
