OXFORD, Ala. -- After a tremendous first inning output, Belmont Softball went on to dominate Alabama State on day two of the Leon Smith Classic. The Bruins (17-4) used a solo home run by senior Amy Zeronian (Pasadena, Calif.) to blow by the Hornets (5-15), 12-4, in the bottom of the fifth inning.
After quieting the ASU bats in the top of the first inning, BU exploded in the bottom of the same frame, netting a whopping eight runs. It marked the most runs to date scored in the first inning for the Bruins. Of the eight runs scored, three were walked over the plate, thanks to senior Chelsey Deloney (Gardendale, Ala.), sophomore Hayley Baker (Rockwall, Texas), and sophomore Sami Long (Springfield, Ill.). Four more were courtesy of bases loaded hits by junior Lexi Rouse (Macon, Ga.), Zeronian and sophomore Baylee Cook (Lewisburg, Tenn.). Senior Kayla Wells (Bonney Lake, Wash.) added the eighth run with her double to left.
The Hornets continued to battle uphill over the next two innings, adding four runs, thanks to home runs. However, the Bruin bats remained hot. BU added two more runs in the bottom of the third with Cook and Wells picking up RBIs, increasing the lead to 10-4. ASU had no answers for Belmont offense and could not find a way to generate momentum.
BU added an 11th run in the bottom of the fourth and again kept Alabama State silent offensively in the top of the next frame. On just the first pitch thrown her way, in the bottom of the fifth inning, Zeronian smacked the ball over the center fence for the game winner. It marked her second career homerun.
Several Bruins had an outstanding day at the plate. Wells went 3-for-3 with two RBI and Cook went 2-for-2 with three runs scored and three RBI. Rouse went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs and an RBI. Zeronian netted a pair of RBI, including her game winner.
Inside the circle, Rouse and sophomore Ashley Johnson (Kingwood, Texas) split time.
Belmont returns to action on Sunday, March 12 for the final day of the Leon Smith Classic. The Bruins take on Missouri State at 10:30 a.m. and Alabama A&M at 1 p.m. Both games will have live stats available.
