NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont softball's rally fell short Wednesday evening as the Bruins were edged, 6-5, by Middle Tennessee (13-17) at Rose Park.
MT tallied a pair of runs in their first three innings of action as the Bruins faced a 2-0 deficit heading into the bottom of the third.
The hosts responded as the Bruins, facing two outs, loaded the bases off a double to left center field by sophomore Kayla Wells (Bonney Lake, Wash.) a walk from junior Jessica Wilson (Alvin, Tex.) and a single to center field from senior Kat Hollingsworth (Carrollton, Tex.).
Belmont tied up the contest, 2-2, soon after as back-to-back walks from Jordan Daly (Alvin, Tex.) and Amy Zeronian (Pasadena, Calif.) drove in Wells and Wilson.
MT pushed ahead in the top of the fourth off a two-RBI double to left center field as the Blue Raiders went up, 4-2.
Trailing 6-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth, Belmont mounted a rally as the Bruins used RBI hits from Ally Bessette (Bryan, Tex.) Jessica Wilson and Kat Hollingsworth to tally three runs as BU trailed by only a single score, 6-5, entering the seventh and final inning.
MT's seventh inning was a short affair as right-hander Carolyn Snodgress (Torrance, Calif.) entered the game in relief effort and proceded to retire the Blue Raider side in order.
Facing two outs in the home half of the seventh, the Bruins put two on after freshman Jess Andree (Darien, Ill.) recorded a single and Bessette reached on an error from MT's shortstop.
With the tying run in scoring position, a subsequent flyout to left field ended the Bruins hopes of completing its comeback attempt as Middle Tennessee held on for a slim, 6-5, victory at Rose Park.
Overall, BU outhit Middle Tennessee, 12-9, as five different Bruins recorded a pair of hits on the contest.
Wilson finished the day with a 2-for-3, one RBI performance at the plate while Hollingsworth went 2-for-4 and notched her 102nd career RBI.
BU's Katie Clancy (Pasadena, Calif.) was credited with the loss for the Bruins as the senior threw four complete innings, allowing four runs and seven hits.
Belmont (9-20, 4-5 OVC) returns to action Friday afternoon as the Bruins welcome conference foe UT Martin to Rose Park for a doubleheader starting at noon CT.
