MURRAY, Ky. – The Belmont Softball team faced a pair of tough opponents on Sunday – gusting winds and Murray State. The combination snapped BU's five-game win streak snapped Sunday afternoon on the road at Murray State. The Bruins (14-25, 7-7 OVC) were held off, 4-1, in the first game and shutout, 4-0, in the nightcap by the Racers (17-20, 7-7 OVC).
Game One
After a silent first inning of play for both teams, Murray State was able to jump on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second using a two-run home run to make a mark on the scoreboard. The Racers matched the feat in the bottom of the fourth with two more runs scored to go up, 4-0. BU would continue to get runners on base and in scoring position but would be unable to get them over the plate.
Belmont was able to put a run across in the top of the sixth in a late surge to try to close the gap. Redshirt sophomore Lexi Rouse (Macon, Ga.) doubled to left and freshman Sami Long (Springfield, Ill.) came in to pinch run for her. A wild pitch moved her to third base before a shot by junior Chelsey Deloney (Gardendale, Ala.) sent Long over the plate.
Senior Shelby Willard (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Rouse split time inside the circle, combining for three strikeouts.
Game Two
The Racers struck first again the bottom of the first inning, putting two across the plate and repeated the feat in the bottom of the second inning to pull away, 4-0. The Bruins tallied five hits over the second game but could only threaten from scoring position down the stretch.
BU made a big push in the top of the fifth inning. Hits by sophomore Shersty Stanton (Pinckneyville, Ill.), junior Kayla Wells (Bonney Lake, Wash.) and freshman Hayley Baker (Rockwall, Texas) got runners on base but fell just shy of putting a run across.
Seniors Carolyn Snodgress (Torrance, Calif.) and Taylor Moon (Vestavia Hills, Ala.) and freshman Ashley Johnson (Kingwood, Texas) all split time in the circle in the nightcap. The trio notched three strikeouts.
For the day, Stanton led the Bruins at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double. Baker went .500 at the plate over the two games.
Belmont returns to action on Wednesday with a single game at E.S. Rose Park. The Bruins host in-state foe Middle Tennessee State beginning at 6 p.m.
