KENNESAW, Ga. -- Belmont Softball collected its sixth shuout of the season on the second day of the Rafter Memorial Tournament. The Bruins (14-4) blanked Mercer (16-8), 4-0.
Belmont leapt onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning, thanks to a solo homerun by senior Lexi Rouse (Macon, Ga.), her fifth to that point of the weekend. With the floodgates open, the Bruins added two more runs, courtesy of a single by junior Baylee Cook (Lewisburg, Tenn.) and a double by classmate Hayley Baker (Rockwall, Texas). A single by freshman Elison Ollinger (Robins, Iowa) followed to plate one and a hit by sophomore Bailey Sims (Flowery Branch, Ga.) sent the other home.
Even with a pitching change, the Bears were unable to slow the Bruins. Sophomore Bailey Sims (Flowery Branch, Ga.) knocked a double to the right fence and was followed with a great bunt by junior Taylor Hargrove (Greenbrier, Tenn.). The duo moved into scoring position with a wild pitch and found the bases loaded after senior Jess Andree (Darien, Ill.) reached first on four balls. A sacrifice fly plated one run for BU but that would be all the team could get over the plate, increasing its lead to 4-0.
Belmont held onto a no-hitter until the top of the fifth inning when Mercer finally recorded its first hit of the game. However, a strong defensive effort by the Bruins kept the Bears off the board for the remainder of the contest.
Cook and Baker both went 2-for-3 at the plate. Sims and Baker each notched a double while Rouse collected her fifth home run of the tournament.
Rouse went the distance inside the circle, recording her fourth win of the season. She tallied four strikeouts in the win.
The remainder of the Rafter Memorial Tournament has been cancelled due to heavy rain.
