EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- For the first time since the 1999 campaign, Belmont University Softball recorded its 25th victory in a single season. The Bruins (25-8, 2-2 OVC) split on the road on Sunday at SIUE (25-6, 3-1). BU was edged in game one, 2-1, before rallying in the nightcap for an 8-2 victory to hand the Cougars their first conference loss of the season.
Game one began as a pitchers' duel between freshman Brooklin Lee (Burns, Tenn.) and SIUE's Haley Chambers-Book. However, the Cougars would make a mark on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second and third frames but the Bruins put a runner on base in every half inning. Finally in the top of the fourth inning, senior Chelsey Deloney (Gardendale, Ala.) does what she does best at the plate. She smashed a solo home run, her 12th of the season, over the centerfield fence to get BU on the board and make it a one-run game.
SIUE continued to hold on to its slim 2-1 lead down the stretch. Belmont dug deep to keep the Cougars from adding extra runs in the bottom of the sixth frame. However, BU pulled off a huge double play to end the inning to stay within striking distance. Unfortunately, the Bruins were unable to pick up a run in the top of the seventh and final frame and went on to fall, 2-1.
Game two opened as another pitchers' duel, this time between junior Lexi Rouse (Macon, Ga.) and Emily Ingles. The contest remained stalemated at 0-0 for the first three innings. In the top of the fourth frame, the Bruins were able to load the bases behind a Rouse single and consecutive hit by pitches for Deloney and junior Jess Andree (Darien, Ill.) with two outs already on the board. Sophomore Jordan Spicer (Hendersonville, Tenn.) singled up the middle to score two runs and classmate Hayley Baker (Rockwall, Texas) followed with a double to add an additional to the BU tally.
After the flurry, the Bruins led 3-0. SIUE was able to prevent the shutout with a run put across in the bottom of the fourth frame. Belmont opened the fifth inning with another rally, looking to net more runs. Sophomore Baylee Cook (Lewisburg, Tenn.) singled to left and senior Kayla Wells (Bonney Lake, Wash.) followed with an infield single. Freshman Bailey Sims (Flowery Branch, Ga.) singled to right to load the bases before Rouse was hit by a pitch and Deloney reached on four balls to put a pair of runs over the plate. The Cougars changed pitchers but BU continued to pack on the runs. Andree and Rouse both used singles to add two more runs before a single out was logged. SIUE used a squeeze play at the plate to stop one run but senior Amy Zeronian (Pasadena, Calif.) sacrificed her at bat to net the team's eighth run of the game.
Belmont emerged with an 8-1 lead. The Cougars attempted to rally in their half of the fifth with a solo home run but the Bruins shut them down for the remainder of the game. SIUE attempted a rally in the bottom of the seventh but the BU defense went on to secure the 8-2 victory.
Wells, Spicer and Sims each recorded a pair of hits while Andree and Deloney each added two runs. Deloney also knocked her 12th home run of the season in the series.
Inside the circle, Lee, Rouse and sophomore Ashley Johnson (Kingwood, Texas) all saw time. The trio combined for seven strikeouts.
Belmont returns to action Saturday, April 1 at E.S. Rose Park. The Bruins host Eastern Kentucky for an Alumni Day doubleheader. First pitch is slated for Noon. Live stats and video will be available.
