NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A late rally snipped Belmont Softball's chances of extending its win streak on Saturday afternoon for the second day of the Bruin Challenge. BU was edged in the final inning and fell, 8-6, to Western Michigan (2-6).
The Broncos posted a single run in the top of the first frame before the Bruins exploded in their half of the same, tallying five runs to take a commanding lead. Back-to-back doubles by freshman Molly Porter (Lindenhurst, Ill.) and junior Georgia McKee (Frisco, Texas) sent four runners over the plate before a costly Western Michigan fielding error allowed McKee to find her way home.
BU rolled with its four run advantage over the next three innings before WMU added three more runs over the fourth and fifth frames, trimming the differential to just two runs, 6-4.
The Broncos surged one final time in the top of the seventh, adding a whopping four runs to turn the tables and take a two-run lead, 8-6. The Bruins attempted to rally in their half of the same but fell by the same score.
For the day, junior Elison Ollinger (Robins, Iowa) and sophomore Audrey Lyle (Westlake, Ohio) each went 2-for-4 at the plate.
Inside the circle, work was shared by senior Brooklin Lee (Burns, Tenn.), junior Autumn McDanel (Moravia, Iowa) and senior Brittany Kennett (Melbourne, Australia). The trio combined for 10 strikeouts, led by Lee's seven.
Belmont returns to action on Sunday afternoon for the final contests of the Bruin Challenge. BU takes on Marist at 2 p.m., followed by Northern Kentucky at 4:30 p.m.
