NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- In dramatic fashion, Belmont Softball picked up back-to-back come from behind wins in OVC play on Saturday. The Bruins (11-23, 4-5 OVC) knocked off in-state rival Tennessee Tech (12-22, 3-6 OVC), 4-3, and 8-7.
Game One
Game one opened with a three inning 0-0 stalemate. The Bruins looked to have a chance in the bottom of third behind a triple by sophomore Jess Andree (Darien, Ill.) but BU couldn't bring her over the plate. The Golden Eagles burst the game open with three runs in the top of the fourth inning with a double and a wind aided home run. Tennessee Tech looked to have a shutout in hand, maintaining its 3-0 lead over the next two innings. Finally, in the bottom of the sixth, Belmont made a big move to trim the lead. Freshman Baylee Cook (Lewisburg, Tenn.) singled to right. Senior Jess Wilson (Alvin, Texas) reached on a fielder's choice and a TTU throwing error moved the pair into scoring position. Junior Chelsey Deloney (Gardendale, Ala.) reached on a walk to load the bases before classmate Amy Zeronian's (Pasadena, Calif.) single to deep left sent two over the plate.
Belmont defensively held TTU silent in the top of the seventh before returning for one last chance at the plate. Andree drove a single up the middle before freshman Hayley Baker (Rockwall, Texas) sent a double into left, putting runners on the corners. With two outs, it looked like the Bruins would have to recollect themselves and prepare for game two. Cook sent a routine pop-up into the air and the second baseman stood underneath to make the play. However, the ball popped out of her glove and rolled behind her, allowing Baker to cross the plate for the gamewinner as Belmont took the game, 4-3.
Game Two
The Golden Eagles again jumped out to the early lead, putting two runs across in the top of the second, with another wind aided home run and back-to-back singles. Belmont responded in the bottom of the same inning. Rouse reached on four balls and Zeronian sent a single up the middle. Another Tennessee Tech fielding error loaded the bases and an errant throw sent a Bruin home. TTU added five runs over the next two innings to take a 7-1 lead.
Belmont was down but not out and exploded in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring a whopping six runs. Zeronian and Andree singled to opposite sides of the field before freshman Jordan Spicer (Hendersonville, Tenn.) loaded the bases. Junior Kayla Wells (Bonney Lake, Wash.) doubled to right to score two and Baker followed with another double to add one more. Cook was hit by a pitch to load the bases once again before a Tennessee Tech fielding error sent one more over the plate. Rouse and Zeronian knocked back-to-back RBI singles to tie the game at seven.
Both teams were silent in the fifth inning and Belmont kept the Golden Eagle bats quiet in the top of the sixth. The Bruins broke the 7-7 stalemate and took the lead with a Wilson double and a single by Deloney. BU dug in its collective defensive heels and held on for the 8-7 victory using back-to-back stops at third base to end the inning.
For the day, Zeronian led the Bruins at the plate, batting .571 with three RBI. Andree and Baker each batted .429. Andree notched her first triple of the season while Baker had a pair of doubles.
Inside the circle, four Bruins saw time with redshirt sophomore Lexi Rouse (Macon, Ga.) and senior Carolyn Snodgress (Torrance, Calif.) picking up wins. The crew combined for five strikeouts.
Belmont returns to action on Sunday for the final game of the three-game series as part of Alumni Weekend. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. with a ceremonial first pitch to be tossed by alumni in attendance before the start of the game.
