CONWAY, Ark. – Freshman Ashley Johnson (Kingwood, Texas) recorded her first collegiate no hitter to push Belmont Softball (2-11) to an 8-0 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (5-9) on the final day of the Central Arkansas Invitational.
The Bruins defense stifled the Lions from the opening pitch and the defense refused to allow a single run to score in the contest. BU put up one run in the bottom of the first inning after freshman Baylee Cook (Lewisburg, Tenn.) singled and was sent over the plate after a double by classmate Jordan Spicer (Hendersonville, Tenn.).
Belmont exploded offensively in the bottom of the next inning, putting across five runs, thanks to a triple by junior Kayla Wells (Bonney Lake, Wash.) and back-to-back singles by Spicer and junior Chelsey Deloney (Gardendale, Ala.). The Lions attempted to show signs of life in the third inning and found limited success is quieting the Bruin bats temporarily.
After a silent half inning, BU roared back in the bottom of the fourth inning. Cook doubled to center and Spicer followed with another single that sent her home. Senior Jessica Wilson and Deloney notched back-to-back singles to left and then used a wild pitch and a passed ball to ease over home plate to put the Bruins on top, 8-0. UAPB attempted to prevent the contest from ending in five innings but was sat down 1-2-3 to end the game with the same score.
Several Bruins had outstanding days at the plate. Spicer went 3-for-3 with a double and three RBI. Cook went 2-for-2 on the day with a double and three runs. Deloney went 2-for-2 with an RBI.
Johnson tossed all five innings in the no hitter, collecting four strikeouts.
"It was another good weekend of growth for our team," said Head Coach Chris Kuhlmeyer. "After so many close loses, it was good to come back with a walk off win against a very good UL Monroe team, and to follow it up the next day with a run rule win over UAPB. We continue to see this team growing and maturing and looking forward to the challenge we face ahead of us next weekend at our next tournament at Ole Miss."
Belmont returns to action next weekend at the Red & Blue Classic, hosted by Ole Miss.
