CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Belmont Softball posted a single run in back-to-back innings and never looked back on the road on Wednesday evening. The Bruins (12-3) rolled by in-state foe Chattanooga (8-12), 3-0, to extend their win streak to five games.
The Bruins made a mark on the scoreboard first, posting a run in the top of the third. The Mocs attempted to answer back in the bottom of the same frame, loading the bases, but sophomore Brooklin Lee (Burns, Tenn.) tallied her fourth strikeout of the game to end the half inning and preserve the BU lead.
A solo shot over the centerfield fence by senior Lexi Rouse (Macon, Ga.) increase the Bruin run total in the top of the fourth inning. Belmont's defense turned up the heat and used a pair of double plays to end the next two half innings for Chattanooga and maintain the two-run advantage.
BU remained ahead and added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning. Freshman Elison Ollinger (Robins, Iowa) was sent to first base on four balls before stealing second. A stunning pair of consecutive errors by Chattanooga helped put her over the plate and increase the lead to 3-0. The Mocs had a final gasp in the bottom of the same frame. After a walk, a double put runners in scoring position with no outs but the Bruins battled back and stranded the runners to secure their fifth shutout of the season.
Rouse knocked her second homerun of the season, this one a solo shot over the centerfield fence in the top of the fourth inning.
Inside the circle, sophomore Brooklin Lee (Burns, Tenn.), who went the distance, rang up seven batters to record her seventh win of the season.
Belmont returns to action on Friday on the opening day of the Rafter Memorial Tournament, hosted by Kennesaw State. The Bruins take on Mercer at 2:30 CT and host-KSU at 5 pm. Live stats will be available for all of the tournament contests.
