OXFORD, Ala. -- The bats cooled a bit for Belmont Softball for its second game of the 2019 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. After recording their second ever postseason victory earlier today, the No. 6 Bruins (31-22) were unable to topple No. 3 Austin Peay (32-20) on Wednesday afternoon, falling 4-2.
Belmont made a move early to take control of the contest in the top of the second frame, using a solo shot to left by freshman Audrey Lyle (Westlake, Ohio), who was named to the OVC All-Newcomer Team, to post its first run. The Governors answered back in their half of the same inning, posting a pair of runs off a double.
Austin Peay added two more runs in the bottom of the third behind a ground rule double to take a 4-1 lead. However, in the top of the fourth frame, BU was able to cut the Govs lead in half. Senior Hayley Baker (Rockwall, Texas) singled to right and was moved to second base with a groundout. A long single to right by senior Chelsea Thomas (Hot Springs, Ark.) sent her classmate over the plate for Belmont's second run of the game. Unfortunately, despite getting runners into scoring position in the waning innings, the Bruins were unable to net another run and fell, 4-2.
For the day, Thomas went 2-for-3 while Lyle went 1-for-2 with her homerun.
Inside the circle, sophomore Alicia Veltri (Clarksville, Tenn.) and junior Brooklin Lee (Burns, Tenn.) split time once again. Lee posted a pair of strikeouts in the loss.
Belmont returns to action on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. CT for Game 8 of the 2019 OVC Tournament. Belmont, now in the Consolation Bracket, will take on the loser of the game between No. 1 Southeast Missouri State and Murray State/Eastern Kentucky. Live stats will be available and the matchup can be seen live on ESPN+.
