Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn.-- Despite the bitter cold temperatures at Rose Park, the Bruins witnessed no loss of power. Belmont stepped up to the plate and opened the game with 7 runs in the first four innings. The Hilltoppers couldn't find a way to surmount the Bruins 15 hits.
Starting on the mound for the Bruins was Junior, Aaron Quillen (Kingsport, Tenn.) who picked up his first start and win for the Bruins. Quillen retired the six batters he faced in his two innings and struck out a season high 3 batters.
Drew Ferguson (Knoxville, Tenn.) opened up the lead at the plate with a solo homerun in the bottom of the first inning. Ferguson did not stop there and scored his second solo homerun to left field in the 6th inning.
In the bottom of the second, the Bruins registered 5 of their 15 hits. Tyler Walsh (Evansville, Ind.) led off the inning with a single to third. He was sent to steal second and advanced to third on a catchers throwing error. The error placed Walsh in scoring position for senior, William Dodd (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) who singled to left field. Brennan Washington (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) was hit in the helmet by pitch and chose to stay in the game. After a wild pitch pushed runners to second and third, Alex Ward (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) stepped up to the plate and recorded his first collegiate hit and RBI. Diamond rounded out the inning with another hit that pushed Ward home.
William Dodd was the only Bruin to score in the third inning with a solo homerun. This is Dodd's first homerun of the season. Overall Dodd went 3-4 at the plate. Fellow senior, Matt Beaty (Dresden, Tenn.) joined Dodd with a solo homerun high down the right field line in the eight. Both players recorded a single, double, and a homerun, just shy of a full batting cycle.
The dynamic bats and consistent pitching led the Bruins to their win over the WKU Hilltoppers. The Bruins stole the home win against the Toppers and look ahead to take the series win next week in Bowling Green, Ky.
The Bruins take on the University of Tennessee tomorrow and look to continue their hard work at the plate and on the mound at Rose Park, 3:30 PM game start.
The Bruins will host the Volunteers for the first time in Nashville. The all-time record between Belmont and Tennessee stands at 4-5 and the last game played between the two teams was in 2011 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium; Belmont won 6-3.
Live Stats, Audio, and Video courtesy of the OVC Digital Network will be provided. Check for links on belmontbruins.com and on twitter @BelmontBaseball.
