NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Despite strong comeback efforts in back-to-back contests, Belmont Softball was held off on the final day of the Bruin Challenge. BU fell to Marist, 5-3, before being edged Northern Kentucky after a late rally, 6-5, on Sunday.
In game one, Marist posted a single run in the second and third inning to get things started but BU was able to respond in the bottom of the third, knotting the score, 2-2. A sacrifice bunt by sophomore Audrey Lyle (Westlake, Ohio) opened the door for Belmont to use back-to-back singles by juniors Elison Ollinger (Robins, Iowa) and Cheyenne Cavanaugh (Spring, Texas) to get into scoring position. A long single by senior Brooklin Lee (Burns, Tenn.) sent the two speedsters over the plate. However, the Red Foxes added a total of three runs over the next two innings to regain the lead. The Bruins used a final grasp in the bottom of the seventh, using a Cavanaugh single to send a runner home but it would not be enough as BU fell, 5-3.
Belmont fell behind early in the nightcap with Northern Kentucky, despite glimpses of a rally spark in the bottom of the second frame after a single by freshman Lauren Veltri (Clarksville, Tenn.) helped plate classmate Kristen Green (Buchanan, Ga). The Norse carried their 2-1 advantage into the fifth inning where they exploded for three more runs. However, BU was down but not out and sparked a rally in the bottom of the seventh frame. The Bruins loaded the bases, with Veltri, Cavanaugh and Lee, before Lyle sent a screaming double to right center to send two over the plate. A costly throwing error allowed the Bruins to add two more runs even with two outs on the board. However, the Bruins would only be able to close the scoring gap to one run, falling 6-5.
For the day, Cavanaugh led the Bruins at the plate, going 5-for-8 with a double.
Inside the circle, senior Brittany Kennett (Melbourne, Austrslia) went the distance in the opening contest, logging a career-best 14 strikeouts. Sophomore Autumn McDanel (Moravia, Iowa) and Lee split time in the nightcap, combining for seven strikeouts.
