OXFORD, Ala. -- Belmont Softball's hot bats were finally cooled on the final day of the Leon Smith Classic. The Bruins (18-5) fell to Alabama A&M (6-12), 15-3, and saw their four game win streak snapped. It also marked the first time since 2005 Belmont fell to Alabama A&M.
Alabama A&M struck first in the top of the first, taking advantage of a Bruin fielding error to send a runner over the plate. In the top of the second, the Bulldogs added three runs to take a 4-0 lead. However, BU was able to fire back in the bottom of the second frame. Senior Kayla Wells (Bonney Lake, Wash.) doubled to left to send two home, trimming the AAMU lead to two runs, 4-2.
The teams remained locked in a two run differential for the next two innings. The Bulldogs broke the game open once again in the top of both the fifth and sixth frames, adding three runs in each to jump out to a 10-2 advantage. Belmont was able to post a run in the bottom of the sixth inning, using back-to-back singles by sophomore Sami Long (Springfield, Ill.) and senior Amy Zeronian (Pasadena, Calif.) to spark the team. Sophomore Baylee Cook (Lewisburg, Tenn.) used a sacrifice fly to send a runner home but it would be the last time BU would plate a runner.
AAMU struck again in the top of the seventh inning, scoring a whopping five runs fueled by back-to-back homeruns. Belmont attempted to cut into the eight run deficit in their half of the same frame but was retired in order with the help of a double play.
At the plate, freshman Bailey Sims (Flowery Branch, Ga.) led the Bruins, going 2-for-3. Long netted a pair of runs while Wells recorded two RBI.
For the day, three Bruins saw action inside the circle. Sophomore Ashley Johnson (Kingwood, Texas), freshman Morgan Marshall and junior Lexi Rouse (Macon, Ga.) split time, combining for nine strikeouts.
Belmont returns to action next weekend at the Bear Classic, hosted by Mercer, March 17-19.
More to come...
