NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont softball dropped a pair of games to UT Martin (18-16, 6-5 OVC) Friday afternoon at Rose Park. The Skyhawks took the first game, 9-3, and recorded the sweep on the day with an 8-3 shortened game victory over the Bruins in the nightcap of the twin bill.
GAME 1: UT Martin 9, Belmont 3
It only took a pair of swings for UT Martin to jump out to a 5-0 advantage over the Bruins in the first game of the doubleheader as UTM's Lauren Smith hit a two-RBI double to left center field in the first inning and followed that with a three-run homer in the top half of the third.
Belmont's bats came alive in the home half of the third as an RBI single from Jessica Wilson (Alvin, Tex.) drove in Kayla Wells (Bonney Lake, Wash.) and then senior Kat Hollingsworth (Carrollton, Tex.) proceeded to drive in Wilson off a double to left center field. Chelsey Deloney (Gardendale, Ala.) made it a trifecta for the Bruins as the catcher drove in Hollingsworth but was called out at second base trying to stretch the hit into a double.
Overall, the Bruins plated three runs off four hits as Belmont cut into the Skyhawks' advantage, 5-3.
UTM added a run to its total in the top of the sixth and used a big seventh inning to put the contest out of reach for the Bruins as the Skyhawks tallied three runs off three hits and went on for the 9-3 victory.
Belmont outhit the visitors from Martin, Tennessee, 9-8, on the contest.
Wilson led the way with a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate while five other Bruins registered a hit.
BU's Carolyn Snodgress (Torrance, Calif.) was credited with the loss as the junior pitched 5.1 innings and allowed six earned runs on four hits. The right-hander also dealt six strikeouts on the outing.
GAME 2: UT Martin 8, Belmont 3 (6 inn.)
UT Martin once again dented the scoreboard first in the second game of the day's doubleheader as the Skyhawks recorded a run in the top of the first inning.
The Bruins quickly responded, however, as BU used RBI singles from Kat Hollingsworth and Amy Zeronian (Pasadena, Calif.) in the home half of the first as the Bruins plated three runs off five hits in order to push ahead, 3-1, and take their first lead of the day.
UT Martin responded as the Skyhawks scored seven runs over the next three innings before rain and lightning rolled into Rose Park and shortened the contest as UTM went on for the 8-3 victory in six innings.
Three different Bruins led Belmont with a pair of hits as Kirbie Ferrell (Pasadena, Tex.), Hollingsworth and Jordan Daly (Alvin, Tex.) all finished 2-for-3 at the plate.
Hollingsworth recorded two doubles on the day as the veteran outfielder moved into the top five of BU's record books in career doubles as the senior now stands all alone with 38 for her career.
Belmont (9-22, 4-7 OVC) returns to action tomorrow as the Bruins are set to host Southeast Missouri State in doubleheader action at Rose Park beginning at 11 a.m. CT.
