NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Sluggish starts at the plate helped to prevent Belmont Softball from overtaking OVC leader Jacksonville State on Saturday afternoon. The Bruins (27-11, 3-5 OVC) dropped both games of their doubleheader, falling 8-0 and 6-1, to the Gamecocks (28-9, 7-1 OVC).
In game one, the Bruins never got into an offensive flow to make a dent on the scoreboard. By the third frame, JSU had jumped out to a 2-0 lead. BU worked hard to keep the Gamecocks off the board in the fourth inning but Jacksonville State was able to add another run in the top of the fifth. Belmont continued to get runners in scoring position but stranded them down the stretch. Unfortunately, the Gamecocks exploded in the top of the seventh, plating five runs to blow their lead up to 8-0.
The Bruins made a last grasp effort in the bottom of the same frame. Senior Amy Zeronian (Pasadena, Calif.) singled down the left line and a ground out by sophomore Baylee Cook (Lewisburg, Tenn.) moved her to second. A JSU throwing error with senior Kayla Wells (Bonney Lake, Wash.) at the plate advanced Zeronian to third before classmate Chelsey Deloney (Gardendale, Ala.) was walked to load the bases. Unfortunately, BU was unable to get any of the runners across home plate and were shutout, 8-0.
In the nightcap, the Gamecocks were again the first to put up a run, going up 3-0 by the top of the third inning. However, the Bruins were finally able to make a move in the bottom of the same frame. Freshman Bailey Sims (Flowery Branch, Ga.) singled to left and stole second to get into scoring position. She didn't have to wait long as junior Lexi Rouse (Macon, Ga.) drove a single up the middle to send her home.
Jacksonville State fired back over the next two frames, adding three more runs to take a 6-1 lead. Despite getting runners on base, Belmont was again unable to convert them into runs on the scoreboard, going on to fall by the same score.
For the day, Zeronian led the Bruins at the plate, going 3-for-6.
Inside the circle, sophomore Ashley Johnson (Kingwood, Texas), Rouse, and freshman Brooklin Lee (Burns, Tenn.) and Abby Irwin (Nolensville, Tenn.) all saw time. Lee led with five strikeouts.
Belmont returns to action on Sunday, wrapping its seven-game homestand hosting in-state rival Tennessee Tech for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Live stats and a live broadcast on the OVC Digital Network will be available. The doubleheader marks the end of the Salute to Service weekend for the Bruins, honoring the nation's active duty and veterans.
