NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Heavy rain and lightning shortened game one of Sunday's doubleheader for Belmont Softball at E.S. Rose Park. The Bruins (30-20, 6-12 OVC) fell, 5-1, to Southeast Missouri State (22-25, 7-12 OVC) after six total innings. Game two was postponed due to the weather conditions.
After a silent first inning for both teams, Southeast Missouri State posted three runs in the top of the second frame, fueled by a two-run home run. The Redhawks would go on to expand its lead to five runs by the middle of the fourth inning, using two sacrifice hits.
Belmont was finally able to respond in the bottom of the fifth inning. Senior Shersty Stanton (Pinckneyville, Ill.) singled but the Bruins would put together its rally with two outs on the board. A Redhawk fielding error helped senior Amy Zeronian (Pasadena, Calif.) reach first base and move Stanton into scoring position. Sophomore Baylee Cook (Lewisburg, Tenn.) hit a hard single up the middle that was bobbled, leading to a second SEMO error. The ball was overthrown in an attempted to tag out Stanton, who crossed the plate for Belmont's lone run of the contest.
The teams were able to complete a sixth inning before lightning halted play. After a lenghty delay, the game was called, handing Southeast Missouri the 5-1 victory.
Four Bruins recorded hits - Cook, Stanton, and sophomores Jordan Spicer (Hendersonville, Tenn.) and Hayley Baker (Rockwall, Texas) - in the effort.
Freshman Brooklin Lee (Burns, Tenn.) went the distance inside the circle, ringing up six strikeouts.
Game two has been moved to Monday, May 1. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Rose Park.
