NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont Softball couldn't get anything going offensively Wendesday evening as the Bruins fell to Western Kentucky University, 5-1, at Rose Park.
Belmont (11-23, 5-7 OVC) went hit less through the first five innings of play as starting WKU pitcher Emily Rousseau threw a gem from the mound.
WKU (25-13-1) lit up the scoreboard in the first and third innings as the Lady Toppers notched a pair of runs in both innings in order to take a 4-0 advantage over the Bruins.
Belmont found itself only trailing 5-0 heading into the bottom of the six inning even though WKU held a commanding 11-0 advantage over the Bruins on hits.
In the sixth, BU's Kayla Wells (Bonney Lake, Wash.) broke up Rousseau's no hit attempt with an infield single.
Kirbie Ferrell (Pasadena, Tex.) followed that with a single to third base and the two base runners advanced on a pass ball on the next at bat.
Belmont lit up the scoreboard soon after when shortstop Ashley Hammer (Mt. Juliet, Ill.) reached base on an error as Wells crossed home plate.
The Bruins couldn't get any closer, however, as Belmont went three up, three down in the bottom of the seventh inning as WKU went on for the easy, 5-1, victory.
WKU's Rousseau (14-9) was credited with the win as the senior threw a complete game allowing one run off two hits.
WKU's Olivia Watkins led the Lady Toppers at the plate as the senior went 3-for-3 on the day with three stolen bases.
Belmont returns to action this weekend as the Bruins return to OVC play with a three-game series at divisional foe Eastern Kentucky. The Bruins begin the series with a doubleheader Saturday starting at 4 p.m. CT.
