NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont Softball (5-16) used its home opener to put its batting skills on display Friday night. The Bruins shut down visiting Alabama A&M (1-18), sweeping the doubleheader with wins of 7-2 and 8-0.
Game 1
The Lady Bulldogs jumped on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning, putting one run over the plate after a double. However, the Bruins responded quickly in their half of the same inning from the very first pitch. Junior Kayla Wells (Bonney Lake, Wash.) singled to right and freshman Baylee Cook (Lewisburg, Tenn.) reached on four balls. Rookie Jordan Spicer used a sacrifice fly to move the pair into scoring position before redshirt sophomore Lexi Rouse (Macon, Ga.) also reached on a walk to load the bases. A passed ball put the first BU run over the plate before a hit by freshman Hayley Baker (Rockwall, Texas) added a second run. Finally, junior Amy Zeronian (Pasadena, Calif.) used a double to left to put Belmont on top, 3-1.
The scoring continued for the Bruins into the third and fourth innings when BU added four more runs. In the bottom of the third, Cook got things started with a single and Spicer was walked before a sac fly by Rouse moved the duo into scoring position. Baker followed with a double to to add one and Zeronian's turn at the plate yielded a second run to put the Bruins on top, 5-1. BU repeated the feat in the bottom of the next inning after a triple by Wells scored sophomore Sheyanne Meadows (Zanesville, Ohio), who had reached on a walk to start the half inning. Cook picked up an RBI as Wells crossed the plate, increasing Belmont's advantage to 7-1.
Alabama A&M tried to dig itself out of the hole with a solo home run in the top of the fifth but the Bruin defense clamped down and helped Belmont cruise to the 7-2 victory.
Game 2
The nightcap was all Belmont from the start. The Bruins put up two runs in the bottom of the first behind a triple by senior Jess Wilson (Alvin, Texas) that sent Cook and Spicer home. In the next inning, Zeronian smacked a double to center and freshman Mac Stewart (Portland, Tenn.) used a long single to left to send the upperclassman home.
Two more runs were plated in the bottom of the fourth, courtesy of a single up the middle by Spicer that rolled to the fence. With victory in sight, BU struck quickly in the bottom of the sixth inning. Junior Shersty Stanton (Pinckneyville, Ill.) stepped in to pinch hit and did not disappoint with a single to left. Stewart followed with a single up the middle. Wells hit another double, notching two RBI and the Bruins ahead, 7-0. Spicer singled up the middle to send Wells over the plate for the game winner that ended the game by the run rule in the bottom of the sixth.
For the series, Spicer led at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two runs and three RBI. Zeronian notched a pair of doubles while Wells and Wilson each recorded triples.
Senior Shelby Willard (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and freshman Ashley Johnson (Kingwood, Texas) each picked up wins today for the Bruins. Senior Carolyn Snodgress (Torrance, Calif.) also saw time in the circle. The trio combined for 14 strikeouts. Willard notched her first shutout of the season in the nightcap.
Belmont returns to action on Saturday morning, hosting Alabama State for a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. Live stats will be available.
