NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont University Softball snapped its two-game skid with a shutout victory but was unable to sustain the momentum through the entire doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at E.S. Rose Park. The Bruins (28-12, 5-6 OVC) split with in-state rival Tennessee Tech (13-22, 6-4 OVC), winning 1-0 in game one but were held off in the nightcap, 5-4.
Game one was shaping up to be a no hitter for the Golden Eagles through the sixth inning. Even though the game was stalemated 0-0, the Bruins couldn't get past the TTU pitching ace. However, TTU struggled against freshman phenom Brooklin Lee (Burns, Tenn.) who rang up at one time during the duel, rang up four consecutive strikeouts. BU got its first runner on base in the bottom of the fourth frame when freshman Bailey Sims (Flowery Branch, Ga.) reached on four balls but she was eventually stranded. Finally, BU made a move in the bottom of the sixth. Senior Shersty Stanton (Pinckneyville, Ill.) doubled to left before classmate Amy Zeronian (Pasadena, Calif.) smacked her first triple of the season down the right line to put up a run. It turned out to be enough as the Bruins clamped down defensively in the top of the seventh to win the game, 1-0, behind a pair of ground outs fielded by senior Kayla Wells (Bonney Lake, Wash.) and a pop up snagged by junior Jess Andree (Darien, Ill.).
The nightcap began in similar fashion with neither team able to plate a run for the first two innings. The Golden Eagles made a mark first in the top of the third and fourth frames, putting across four runs. Belmont fired back in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Chelsey Deloney (Gardendale, Ala.) and Andree were hit by pitches on consecutive at-bats before a single by sophomore Jordan Spicer (Hendersonville, Tenn.) loaded the bases. Sophomore Baylee Cook (Lewisburg, Tenn.) knocked her first single of the contest to score a run, keeping the bases juiced. TTU, who had changed pitchers, managed to get a force out a home but a long single up the middle by Zeronian pushed two more over the plate, making it a one run game, 4-3.
Both teams added a single run in their half of the fifth inning, keeping it a one run game, 5-4. The Bruin defense went to work again in both the sixth and seventh frames, keeping Tennessee Tech from netting additional runs. Unfortunately, Belmont was unable to find a tying or lead taking run over the same span and went on to fall by the same score.
For the day, Andree led the Bruins at the plate, batting .500 with a double and an RBI.
Inside the circle, a trio of Bruins made appearances led by freshman Brooklin Lee (Burns, Tenn.), who recorded eight strikeouts and finished with a 0.68 ERA. Junior Lexi Rouse (Macon, Ga.) and sophomore Ashley Johnson (Kingwood, Texas) also saw pitching time.
Belmont returns to action on Friday, April 14 with a road trip to Morehead State for a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for Noon. Live stats will be available.
