OXFORD, Ala. -- Despite strong rallies in both games of its doubleheader on Friday, Belmont Softball (20-10, 1-5 OVC) was unable to pull out a win on the road over Jacksonville State (19-17, 7-1 OVC). The Bruins fell, 9-1, in the opener before being edged in the nightcap, 4-3, at Choccolocco Park.
Jacksonville State made a mark on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the first inning but the Bruins fired back in the top of the second to knot the score. Freshman Alicia Veltri (Clarksville, Tenn.) was sent to first base after being hit by a pitch before junior Hayley Baker (Rockwall, Texas) reached on a Gamecock error. Veltri took advantage of the opportunity and rounded the bases to stand on third. A deep single to center by junior Baylee Cook (Lewisburg, Tenn.) was enough to send Veltri home.
The Gamecocks would not back down and went on the add runs in the bottom of each of the next three innings to pull ahead, 5-1. Despite continuing to threaten down the stretch, the Bruins were unable to score any additional runs. JSU was able to pull away for good in the bottom of the fifth, posting four runs to secure the 9-1 victory.
In game two, the Bruins were the first the plate runs. After loading the bases thanks to a walk for junior Baylee Cook (Lewisburg, Tenn.), senior Jess Andree (Darien, Ill.) being hit by a pitch and junior Chelsea Thomas (Hot Springs, Ark.) sending a single to left, Belmont pushed its first run of the game over the plate as junior Hayley Baker (Rockwall, Texas) was walked. A pitching change could not cool off the Bruin bats as sophomore Brooklin Lee (Burns, Tenn.) reached on a fielder's choice allowing Andree to cross the plate. Jacksonville State hustled to cut the BU lead in half in the bottom of the second.
Still trailing, the Gamecocks were down but not out and used a two-run homer to take a slim one-run lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the fourth frame. JSU looked to hold onto its lead by switching pitchers back to Faith Sims, who was in the circle in the first game, but the Bruins kept pushing. BU was able to load the bases once again in the top of the fifth inning and used a walk for junior Sami Long (Springfield, Ill.) to knot the score after sending freshman Elison Ollinger (Robins, Iowa) over the plate. However, the JSU would find the eventual game winner in a solo homerun in the bottom of the same that lifted it to a slim 4-3 advantage. Belmont threatened in the top of the seventh but was unable to add a run, falling by the same score.
For the day, junior Taylor Hargrove (Greenbrier, Tenn.) went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the Bruins. Cook went 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI.
Inside the circle, Lee made appearances in both games, tossing 7.0 innings with nine batters fanned. Veltri logged 2.0 innings while senior Lexi Rouse (Macon, Ga.) finished with 1.2 innings of work.
Belmont returns to action on Sunday with a stop at in-state rival Tennessee Tech for a pair of games. First pitch for the doubleheader is slated for Noon. Live stats will be available and the matchup can be seen live on the OVC Digital Network.
